Bacterial endocarditis: risk factors in Cork dental hospital patients.

An examination was carried out of the records of 2500 patients who attended the University Dental School and Hospital, Cork, Republic of Ireland during the period 1981-1986. 3.6% of these patients were found to have factors which put them at risk of developing bacterial endocarditis. Mention is made of the level of risk factors elsewhere in Ireland and in the U.S.A. The morbidity rate, mortality, dental aetiology, and prophylaxis of bacterial endocarditis are covered briefly.