A resident at Augusta University’s Dental College of Georgia was recognized on Mar. 11 for research highlighting potential surgical risks linked to herbal supplement use. Hannah Price, DMD, a third-year resident in the Department of Periodontics, led a peer-reviewed article that was named Best Research Article of the Year for 2025 by the Journal of Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology.
The recognition is significant because it draws attention to how herbal supplements, often considered harmless, can affect patient safety during dental procedures. The awarded article may influence clinical practice and treatment guidelines regarding preoperative screening.
The case report, titled “Excessive Bleeding Associated with Chronic High-Dose Bitter Gourd Supplementation,” describes what is believed to be the first documented instance in dental literature of severe bleeding related to high-dose bitter gourd (bitter melon) supplementation. The article details a patient who experienced uncontrolled bleeding after routine oral surgery. Through clinical findings and literature review, chronic use of bitter gourd supplements was identified as a likely factor due to its possible anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects when consumed in large amounts.
“This paper documents a case that I personally managed where we encountered unexpected excessive bleeding during surgery,” Price said. “As we reviewed the case, we identified an herbal supplement as a possible contributing factor, which led us to write the case report and investigate supplements with potential anticoagulant effects.”
The authors recommend thorough preoperative screening and discontinuing supplements that may impact coagulation at least two weeks before invasive procedures. They note that such cases have not previously been reported in dental literature worldwide, making awareness important for preventing complications.
“I hope this paper emphasizes the need to ask about over-the-counter supplements and herbal products, not just prescription medications,” Price said. “Many supplements can have clinically significant effects that impact surgical outcomes.”
This national recognition highlights DCG’s commitment to scholarship, patient safety, and evidence-based practice.
