Modified WHO surgical safety checklist for oral and maxillofacial surgery

Abstract

Surgical Safety Checklists are valuable tools for use by oral and maxillofacial surgeons. However, dentists occasionally join their maxillofacial surgery colleagues in theatre for specific dental procedures during major maxillofacial surgery, and surgical checklists do not address crucial dental steps. Not detecting a small dental instrument poses an aspiration hazard. We address this gap in safety with a single modification when adapting the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist to Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery procedures specifically for cases when dental colleagues are required to join their surgical colleagues in theatre.