by : Stephen T. Sonis, D.M.D., D.M.Sc.
What are the objectives of pretreatment evaluation of a patient?
1. Establishment of a diagnosis
2. Determination of underlying medical conditions that may modify the oral
condition or the patient’s ability to tolerate treatment
3. Discovery of concomitant illnesses
4. Prevention of medical emergencies associated with dental treatment
5. Establishment of rapport with the patient
1. Establishment of a diagnosis
2. Determination of underlying medical conditions that may modify the oral
condition or the patient’s ability to tolerate treatment
3. Discovery of concomitant illnesses
4. Prevention of medical emergencies associated with dental treatment
5. Establishment of rapport with the patient
What are the essential elements of a patient history?1. Chief complaint
2. History of the present illness (HPI)
3. Past medical history
4. Social history
5. Family history
6. Review of systems
7. Dental history
2. History of the present illness (HPI)
3. Past medical history
4. Social history
5. Family history
6. Review of systems
7. Dental history
Define the chief complaint.
The chief complaint is the reason that the patient seeks care, as described
in the patient’s own words
The chief complaint is the reason that the patient seeks care, as described
in the patient’s own words
What is the history of the present illness?
The HPI is a chronologic description of the patient’s symptoms and should
include information about duration, location, character, and previous treatment.
The HPI is a chronologic description of the patient’s symptoms and should
include information about duration, location, character, and previous treatment.
What elements need to be included in the medical history?
• Current status of the patient’s general health
• Hospitalizations
• Medications
• Allergies
• Current status of the patient’s general health
• Hospitalizations
• Medications
• Allergies
What areas are routinely investigated in the social history?
• Present and past occupations
• Occupational hazards
• Smoking, alcohol or drug use
• Marital status
• Present and past occupations
• Occupational hazards
• Smoking, alcohol or drug use
• Marital status
Why is the family history of interest to the dentist?
The family history often provides information about diseases of genetic
origin or diseases that have a familial tendency. Examples include clotting
disorders, atherosclerotic heart disease, psychiatric diseases, and diabetes
mellitus.
The family history often provides information about diseases of genetic
origin or diseases that have a familial tendency. Examples include clotting
disorders, atherosclerotic heart disease, psychiatric diseases, and diabetes
mellitus.
How is the medical history most often obtained?
The medical history is obtained with a written questionnaire supplemented
by a verbal history. The verbal history is imperative, because patients may leave
out or misinterpret questions on the written form. For example,
The medical history is obtained with a written questionnaire supplemented
by a verbal history. The verbal history is imperative, because patients may leave
out or misinterpret questions on the written form. For example,
