Has anyone heard about this from their dentists? They say that pre treatment with antibiotics for patients with some heart problems don't need to take antibiotics anymore. What have you heard from you dentists?

There are new rules coming out yes. At the moment there is no evidence to say that dental treatment causes heart complications with those who have heart defects. However NICE will be making the decision and then it will go into the BNF prescribing book where it will be protocol for all dentists. Until NICE make the decision we as dentists must stick by the old rules and give antibiotic cover for patients who have any heart problems such as a previous rheumatic fever, infective endocarditis, valve replacements etc. Watch this space things are changing.

Please keep me updated. I will watch ADA's website too. Thank you!

Hi everyone :-) The American Heart Association altered their guidelines for some situations as of April 2007. Take a peek at the guidelines on their website.
The ADA just reposts and recommends to follow the AHA guidelines. It is also mentioned on their website, look under Your Oral Heal in the third column and click the second yellow triangle bullet.

I am one who is glad these guidelines have changed. I am allergic to many antibiotics. Taking them prophylactically, for me, is something we have to consider on a case by case basis...and the thought of going thru this discussion with my immunologist, internist and dentist every time I have my teeth cleaned just was more than I could tolerate. So I never took them. I've got MVP and have had my teeth cleaned, crowns, fillings, root canal, all without an antibiotic. We did have the discussion when I had the root canal last year but the endo was more nervous about the reaction to an antibiotic than doing it without. Since I've had anaphalactic shock from an antibiotic and have turned up allergic to ones I've been able to tolerate before, docs don't seem to be willing to step out and prescribe it any more..I've been told to refuse them unless it is absolutely necessary.