Quick answer
Before dental surgery, give the team a complete list of prescriptions, non-prescription medicines and supplements, along with relevant medical conditions and previous reactions. Do not stop blood thinners or other prescribed medicines on your own. Many dental procedures can be managed without interrupting anticoagulant treatment, but bleeding risk, the planned operation and your medical history determine the individual plan.
Bring a usable list, not just a memory
Before dental surgery, list prescription medicines, non-prescription products, supplements and allergies, including the reaction you experienced. Include doses and the reason for each medicine when known, and bring labelled packaging if names differ between countries. Tell the team about significant illnesses, previous operations and unusual bleeding, infection or healing problems. A concise written summary is especially useful for a visit to Seoul because brand names and language can differ. The purpose is to help the clinician identify relevant issues before the procedure begins.
Never make medication changes on your own
Some medicines affect bleeding, immune function or bone healing, and the dentist may need advice from the clinician who prescribes them. That does not mean they should automatically be stopped. Interrupting treatment can create risks unrelated to the tooth. Ask who will coordinate any change, what the written plan is and when normal dosing resumes if an adjustment is actually prescribed. Do not follow a generic online instruction to skip tablets before extraction. The decision depends on the medicine, procedure and your underlying condition.
Explain conditions that may change planning
Diabetes, immune suppression, heart conditions, pregnancy and previous head or neck treatment are examples of information that may affect dental planning. The list is not exhaustive, so share the full history rather than deciding yourself which details count. Ask whether any recent medical information or clinician letter is needed. If your health is unstable or symptoms have changed, tell the dental team before travelling. A procedure can sometimes be rescheduled or moved to a more suitable setting when the need is identified early.
Check every new prescription
After surgery, tell the dentist and pharmacist what you already take so they can assess interactions and suitability. Ask what each new medicine is for, how it should be used and what adverse effects require advice. Avoid combining pain products without checking their ingredients, and do not use leftover antibiotics as a substitute for review. If a label is in a language you cannot read, request an understandable written explanation. Keep medicines in their original packaging during travel and carry the treatment summary if you need care elsewhere.
Make the handover explicit
Before leaving the Seoul clinic, confirm whether the procedure changed any medical or medication plan and whether your usual clinician should receive a report. Obtain details of surgery, medicines given and any complication. If another dentist will continue treatment at home, provide the same health summary and update it when prescriptions change. Accurate information is a practical part of patient participation; it does not require you to assess the medical risk yourself. The dental team should interpret the details and explain the resulting plan in language you can understand.
Patient questions
Should I stop my blood thinner before an extraction?
Do not stop it independently. The dentist assesses the procedure and bleeding risk and may coordinate with the prescriber. Unnecessary interruption can create serious medical risk.
Which medical information matters even if I feel well?
Include allergies, diabetes, bleeding conditions, immune problems, pregnancy, previous anaesthetic difficulties and medicines affecting bone or immunity. Bring doses and schedules, not only drug names or a translated diagnosis.
Explore related care in Seoul
These profiles describe published clinical interests and services. Compare the team and ask whether the proposed care fits your diagnosis.
- S-Face Dental Clinic — Apgujeong · Gangnam
- Magok Pureunmaeum Dental Clinic — Magok · Gangseo
- Dr. Gin-Ah Song — Oral and maxillofacial surgery at S-Face Dental Clinic.
- Dr. Park Kyung Ran — Oral and maxillofacial surgery background; confirm current appointment availability directly.
Clinical references and further reading for the explanations on this page. The guide is general patient education; your dentist determines the plan for your examination findings.
Gloucestershire Hospitals: having a tooth removed >NHS: wisdom tooth removal >