After receiving a medical consultation for a patient on warfarin who requires a dental extraction, what is the most important next step before proceeding?

Before performing an invasive dental procedure on a patient taking warfarin, the current INR must be obtained to assess bleeding risk. An INR of 3.5 or below is generally acceptable for routine dental extractions with local hemostatic measures. The INR should be checked within 24–72 hours of the procedure. Routine discontinuation of warfarin is not recommended for most dental procedures because it increases the risk of thromboembolic events; instead, local hemostatic measures are preferred. The medical consultation confirms current anticoagulation status, but the specific INR value guides the final decision.