Complete blood count and biochemistry: dental surgeons’ knowledge of these tests and their importance in dental practice

Júlia Hinkelmann de Camargos; Gilcelia Correia Santos Bernardes; Nivea Aparecida de Almeida; Nathalia Gusmão Prado Schnorr; Ana Cristina La Guardia Custódio; Maria das Graças Carvalho; Melina Barros-Pinheiro

doi:10.4322/bds.2026.e4875

Authors

Júlia Hinkelmann de Camargos Universidade Federal De São João Del Rei. Divinópolis, MG, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6143-3120
Gilcelia Correia Santos Bernardes Universidade Federal De São João Del Rei. Divinópolis, MG, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2839-2443
Nivea Aparecida de Almeida Universidade Federal De São João Del Rei. Divinópolis, MG, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7910-3031
Nathalia Gusmão Prado Schnorr Universidade Paulista. São Paulo, SP, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6813-8255
Ana Cristina La Guardia Custódio Universidade Federal De São João Del Rei. Divinópolis, MG, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6674-9052
Maria das Graças Carvalho Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1669-3302
Melina Barros-Pinheiro Universidade Federal De São João Del Rei. Divinópolis, MG, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6895-3543

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4322/bds.2026.e4875

Abstract

Since 2002, dental surgeons have been authorized to request complementary examinations, including laboratory tests, recognizing their relevance in dental practice. Surgical or invasive procedures in the oral cavity require a thorough medical history and clinical examination to minimize complications during treatment. Objective: This study aimed to assess the frequency of requests and the level of knowledge among dental surgeons regarding routine laboratory tests, such as the complete blood count (CBC) and biochemical tests, using a structured questionnaire. Material and Methods: This descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted with a random and convenience sample of dental surgeons from the state of Minas Gerais (Brazil) (n=279), evaluating various aspects related to the request and interpretation of these tests. The majority of the professionals in this study graduated after 2002, with 77.2% holding a specialization. Results: Regarding the frequency of laboratory test requests in dental practice, 58.3% of dental surgeons reported rarely requesting biochemical tests and CBC. In cases of oral manifestations without a prior diagnosis of systemic disease, 41.2% of dental surgeons reported requesting laboratory tests, while 14.2% referred the patient to a physician. In terms of knowledge and interpretation of laboratory tests, particularly CBC and biochemical analyses, most dental surgeons (55.2%) scored below 9.0, indicating a limited level of proficiency. Conclusion: These findings highlight a gap in the training of dental surgeons in Minas Gerais, underscoring the need for intervention by Regional Dental Councils, universities, and other relevant institutions. Such initiatives should aim to bridge this knowledge gap and enhance the quality of dental care provided to the population.

KEYWORDS

Clinical laboratory techniques; Dentistry; Diagnosis; Health policy; Public health dentistry.