For patients
Do I need a dental clearance before knee or hip replacement?
Often, yes: many surgeons ask for a dental clearance (a dental evaluation before surgery or treatment) before a knee or hip replacement, but not all do. Ask your surgeon's office, and use the free form below if they did not give you one.
Last updated October 29, 2026.
Why does the care team ask for a dental visit?
Before a joint is replaced, the surgical team wants to rule out infection anywhere in the body, and some teams ask for a dental check as part of that. The care team asks the dentist to examine your mouth and report what they find.
Does everyone need one?
Not always. Some surgeons ask and some do not, and some skip it for people with no natural teeth. Your surgeon's office decides, so ask them.
How long does it take?
The visit is usually one exam, often with X-rays. If the dentist finds something to treat first, it takes as long as that treatment, so book early and ask your surgeon's office for the deadline.
What should I bring?
The form or request your surgeon's office gave you, the surgery date or deadline, a list of your medicines, and every insurance card you have, dental and medical.
What does it cost?
It depends on your dentist and your coverage. Ask the dental office when you book.
What the dentist does and does not do
The dentist examines your mouth and reports what they find. The dentist does not decide whether you have surgery. Your surgeon does.
Next step
- Ask your surgeon's office whether they need a dental report, and by what date.
- Book the dentist and take the free dental clearance form, or the form your surgeon's office gave you.
- Ask the dental office to send the report to your surgeon's office, and to tell you the day it goes out.
Hospital or clinic staff who want to see when the report arrives can start a tracked referral.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team's instructions come first.