Rationale for the Comprehensive Clinical Examination
It is said that the dentist can only be as good as his examination is thorough and that the routine dental examination is, at best, only 50% as thorough and complete as it should be.
You would agree that if our examination is only one half as effective as it should be, then we are able to accomplish only one half of our patient’s needs. How good can we be if our examination allows us to only do 50% of what should be necessary for our patients to obtain optimum dental health?
If we consider all the challenges facing quality fee-for-service dentists that now exist and are sure to increase in the foreseeable future, I believe the mediocre dentist who spends most of his time doing patchwork and patch-up dentistry will have a very unrewarding future. For us to flourish in the future, we must differentiate ourselves from the usual and customary. We must have the skill, knowledge and caring attitude necessary to demonstrate to our patients that we are striving for excellence.
Principles & Practices of Optimum Dental Care
In the absence of emergency or other compelling circumstances:
1. The dentist performs a comprehensive evaluation of the patient, with the assistance of a staff member(s). The components of this evaluation include behavioural assessment, a clinical examination, appropriate radiographs, and diagnostic casts.
2. This evaluation is accomplished interactively with the patient for the purposes of having the patient achieve an understanding of his/her present condition. Establishment of a trusting doctor/patient relationship is a primary objective of this first visit. The patient is encouraged and afforded the opportunity to express and discuss his/her concerns, expectations and commitment to health.
3. The comprehensive clinical evaluation includes: a medical and dental history, examination of the dentition, periodontal structures and soft tissues. Additionally, an evaluation of esthetic considerations, the muscles of mastication, occlusion, temporo-mandibular joints (TMJ) and head and neck structures is accomplished.
4. Areas of health, other current conditions and observations, a diagnosis of the pathologic conditions are recorded. The dentist communicates all findings to the patient (co-discovery).
5. An appropriate written treatment plan is included in patient record. The dentist communicates and counsels the patient regarding the proposed treatment, which details optimal function, comfort, health and esthetics. The sequence and timing will be consistent with the patient’s circumstances, objectives and temperament. Alternative treatment plans are discussed when appropriate.
6. The dentist refers the patient to the appropriate health care professional when deemed to be in the patient’s best interest. The dentist counsels the patient regarding the rationale of his referral and communicates relevant patient information to the health care professional to whom the patient is referred prior to their appointment.
7. The foregoing comprehensive evaluation is repeated as necessary, determined by the patient’s susceptibility and risk factors. At least every three years, the dentist determines the need for a repeated complete comprehensive “New Patient” evaluation.
The comprehensive examination follows closely after the preclinical interview. This stresses that an evaluation and awareness of the patient’s circumstances, objectives and temperament precede the actual clinical examination.
Agnes B. Claros, D.M.D.
Practice Limited to Cosmetic Restorations
Dental Spa Manila
Unit 1503 Medical Plaza Building
Amorsolo corner de la Rosa Streets
Legazpi Village, Makati
Tel. #: (+632) 814 0839
Mobile #: + 63 917 533 9097
+ 63 916 786 1016
Email: dentalspamanila@yahoo.com
Web: www.dentalspamanila.com.ph
| 
