Dental Management of Medically Compromised Patients

2580 Words11 Pages
DENTAL MANAGEMENT OF MEDICALLY COMPROMISED PATIENT Definition It is the management of patients in whom the dental treatment may need modification according to their medical condition. Patient Assessment Familiarity with the patient’s medical history is essential to decreasing the risk of aggravating a medical condition while rendering dental care. An accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date medical history is necessary for correct diagnosis and effective treatment planning. Information regarding the chief complaint, history of present illness, medical conditions and/or illnesses, medical care providers, hospitalizations/surgeries, anaesthetic experiences, current medications, allergies/sensitivities, immunization status, review of systems, family and social histories, and thorough dental history should be obtained. In children the dentist/care giver must be prepared to modify the traditional delivery of dental care to address the child’s unique needs. If the patient/parent is unable to provide accurate information, consultation with the caregiver or with the patient’s physician may be required. At each patient visit, the history should be consulted and updated. Recent medical attention for illness or injury, newly diagnosed medical conditions, and changes in medications should be documented. Comprehensive head, neck, and oral examinations should be completed on all patients, a summary of the oral findings and specific treatment recommendations should be provided to the patient and parent/ caregiver. When appropriate, the patient’s other care providers (e.g. physicians, nurses,) should be informed of any significant findings. The Following Are Some Of The Most Common Medical Conditions That May Be Encountered By The Dental Staff And Their Possible Management Deficiency Anaemia Anaemia is a decrease in the level of circulating haemoglobin below the normal reference

More about Dental Management of Medically Compromised Patients

Open Document