The patient's health history form: how healthy is it?
Article Abstract:
A thorough health history has assumed new importance as dentistry has grown more complex. Unlike a decade or so ago, dentists in the 1990s are faced with older patients, a more medically complex base of patients, and concerns regarding infectious diseases. These changes are requiring the dentist to assess each patient's ability to tolerate a particular treatment comfortably and safely. The content and format of health history forms used by general practitioners were compared with those used by dental schools in a study that involved 33 practitioners and 33 dental schools. There was a great difference between the health history forms dental schools use and those used by general practitioners. ADA-accredited training programs must include a health history as part of as proper physical evaluation. Suggestions are offered regarding how to improve the content and format of the form dentists use for health history.
Publication Name: Journal of the American Dental Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-8177
Year: 1993
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Obtaining pre-radiation therapy dental clearance
Article Abstract:
Patients undergoing head and neck radiation therapy should have a dental exam prior to the therapy. Side effects of head and neck radiation can include dental decay, mucosal degeneration, dryness of the mouth from salivary gland dysfunction, and death of bone cells. A pre-therapy exam can establish baseline values and allow the dentist to help minimize possible preventable complications. The development of a medical form which outlines the patient's condition and intended radiation sites is proposed to help the dentist perform a pre-treatment assessment. Dental findings would be charted on the reverse side of the form. A sample form is presented.
Publication Name: Journal of the American Dental Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-8177
Year: 1993
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: A national health program: abyss at the end of the tunnel - the position of physicians who care. The Health Security Partnership: a federal-state universal insurance and cost-containment program
- Abstracts: Therapist techniques used during the cognitive therapy of opiate-dependent patients. Has Malaysia's antidrug effort been effective?
- Abstracts: The Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine: A pre-launch qualitative study of parental perceptions. Strategic research for the launch of the 'Haemophilus influenzae b' (Hib) vaccine
- Abstracts: A rough deal. Cognitive behavioural nursing therapy in paranoid psychosis
- Abstracts: The serial-surgery murder. License to kill women: are restraining orders sending abusive husbands over the edge?