Medical History in the Dental Office

Jun 18, 2017 News

By Dr. Neromini Fagu
Medical emergencies can and do occur in the dental setting. Approximately one-third of these emergencies are potentially life threatening. Early recognition of medical emergencies begins at the first sign or symptom, and familiarity with the patient’s medical profile is of tremendous help in determining the onset of an emergency. Knowing what to expect and what to look for will invariably aid in a faster response.
There are certain procedures that may help in preventing emergencies, and these include taking an accurate and thorough medical history, and taking and recording vital signs. Preparation for a medical emergency in a dental office is essential in order to avoid or minimize such an occurrence.
Most dental offices will have a standard form for gathering information from the patients. It normally includes biographical data such as name, home and work contact information, date of birth, and occupation. The section on occupation might come as a surprise, and some patients may even question the necessity of divulging such information and its relevance to their dental treatment.
Suffice it to say, your dentist is not being nosy in wanting to ascertain what you do for a living. Your job and working environment may have an impact on your oral health which needs to be taken into account during your treatment. You would never think that being an actress would cause you to lose your teeth but that is exactly what was disclosed this past week by the American actress Demi Moore.
While on a late night talk show, Ms. Moore revealed that she lost her two front teeth by shearing them off because of chronic stress. While this would not happen to most actors, certain occupations will directly predispose a person to cause wear to their teeth. Think about a seamstress or a carpenter. How many of them use their teeth to “hold” pins and nails? Over time this habit will cause chips and wear on the teeth.
It goes without saying that the Medical Information section on the form is of vital importance. The accuracy of this information is of paramount significance because your dentist needs to be aware of all your medical needs when taking your dental health into consideration. Past medical history will dictate the type or duration of treatment that you would require.
It may be better to have morning appointments for certain patients with a particular medical condition, while others may not be able to be in the dental chair for long periods of time and so treatment would have to be broken up into multiple visits.
Certain medical conditions may necessitate being pre-medicated for prophylactic reasons. Persons with certain cardiovascular history may need to be placed on antibiotics before certain dental treatments, while others may need to come off of their existing medication in order to have dental treatment.
The following is some of the information that you may be asked to provide when visiting your dentist:
• Name and phone number of your current doctor
• List of any systemic disease e.g. diabetes, respiratory disease, rheumatic fever, hepatitis, and the like
• Any ongoing medical treatment
• Any bleeding disorders, drug allergies, smoking and alcohol history
• Any cardiac disorders
• Relevant family medical history
• Pregnancy
• Physical and emotional tolerance for procedures
Knowing your current health status is not only important for your dental visit but should be part of your ongoing attention to your overall health. The ability of your dentist to produce and maintain accurate dental records is essential for good quality patient care and you can do your part in providing precise and up-to-date information.
You should provide any updates to your medical status at each dental visit. Dentists are in positions of privilege and learn a lot about their patients, and this information is kept confidential.

For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to nerominifagu@hotmail.com

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