Augusta University
Stacey Hudson
A resident at the Dental College of Georgia (DCG) has received national recognition for research that sheds new light on potential surgical risks associated with herbal supplement use.
Dr. Hannah Price, a third-year resident in the Department of Periodontics at Augusta University, is the lead author of a peer-reviewed article published in the Journal of Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. Supervised and co-authored by DCG faculty members Dr. Mira Ghaly and Dr. Mark E. Peacock, the article was named the journal’s Best Research Article of the Year for 2025 due to its immediate impact on clinical practice and treatment guidelines.
Titled “Excessive Bleeding Associated with Chronic High-Dose Bitter Gourd Supplementation,” the case report documents what is believed to be the first reported instance in dental and periodontal literature of significant intraoperative and postoperative bleeding linked to excessive bitter gourd, also known as bitter melon, supplementation.
The article details the case of a dental surgical patient who experienced uncontrolled bleeding and prolonged coagulation following routine oral surgery. Through clinical findings and an extensive literature review, the authors identified chronic, high-dose bitter gourd supplementation as a likely contributing factor. While bitter gourd is commonly used as a complementary herbal remedy, emerging evidence suggests it may have anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects when consumed in large quantities.
“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.”
Price hopes the publication reinforces the importance of comprehensive medical histories. “I hope this paper emphasizes the need to ask about over-the-counter supplements and herbal products, not just prescription medications,” she said. “Many supplements can have clinically significant effects that impact surgical outcomes.”
The authors recommend thorough preoperative screening and discontinuation of supplements that may affect coagulation at least two weeks prior to invasive procedures, in line with existing clinical guidance. They also note that bitter gourd associated bleeding has not previously been documented in dental literature worldwide, making increased awareness especially important for preventing avoidable complications.
This national recognition reflects DCG’s ongoing commitment to resident scholarship, patient safety, and the advancement of evidence-based clinical practice.
The full article is available through the Journal of Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology.
