Advanced Education in General Dentistry

Documentation and Charts

Patient Chart Entries: All Patient Record entries require the use of the Assessment/Treatment/Evaluation Next Appointment (ATEN) system.

Standardized Format for Progress Notes

A standardized format for Progress Notes will be used for all patient record entries, except for Oral Surgery that already uses a standardized SOAP note. The “data elements” and “examples” of the Progress Note format are shown below.

Data Elements of Progress Note

A: Assessment – reason for visit; pt. health/medical management considerations; consent
T: Treatment – concise and detailed description of procedures performed and medications
E: Evaluation – appraisal of treatment; patient’s reaction to treatment; extenuating circumstances
N: Next Visit – specific plans for next visit

Examples of Progress Note

Date

A: Patient presents for tx of occlusal caries on #19; no Changes in med. hx. since 1/15/99; pt. understands risks of today’s tx and reaffirms consent.
T: Mandibular block with 1.8 cc 2% Xylocaine; 1:100,000 epi.; rubber dam; #19 occlusal caries removal, CaOH2 (Dycal), Vitrebond, amalgam (Contour) restoration.
E: Patient apprehensive as usual regarding local anesthesia; deep caries approaching pulp, but no exposure; patient advised that tooth could need endodontic therapy; treatment completed.
N: 6 month recall, check for caries progression on mesial of #3 by radiograph.

Student Signature & #

Faculty Signature & #

Date

A: Patient presents for SC/RP of ULQ; reports new RX, nifedepine for hypertension; BP right arm sitting: 145/80; pt. understands risks of today’s tx and reaffirms consent; plaque score: 65%.
T: Reinforced home care instructions, showed patient literature on gingival hyperplasia associated with nifedepine; local infiltration in area of #14 with 0.5ml of 2% Xylocaine with 1:100,000 epi.; ultrasonic removal of gross calculus followed by hand curette scaling and root planing; irrigated DL pocket of #14 with sterile saline.
E: Patient understands risk for hyperplasia, showed extra motivation to follow home care; 7mm pocket DL #14 difficult to complete instrumentation due to furcation; revaluation required.
N: Next visit 10/27/99: URQ SC/RP, whole mouth polish and fluoride; check tissue response and finish RP of distal furcation #14 before starting URQ.

Student Signature & #

Faculty Signature & #

  1. At the end of each appointment period, all clinical services rendered during the appointment must be recorded on the "Continuation Sheet" of the patient's chart. This form must have a signature (no initials) and Provider Number recorded by the instructor supervising the student during the appointment period. An entry in Axium must be made for each appointment.
  2. Using the ATEN system of chart entries, the following information should be listed in the continuation notes: 1) date, 2) department, 3) tooth number, 4) diagnosis, 5) treatment listing all restorative materials (with brand names following each in parenthesis), 6) use of rubber dam, 7) appropriate remarks and/or post-operative instructions listed under E (Evaluation). Standard accepted abbreviations maybe used. Students and faculty must sign every entry and included their provider number.

Signatures

  1. All Daily Treatment Records MUST have an attending signature before the end of the day. Treatment Plans should have three signatures: patient, resident, and attending before treatment can begin.
  2. Prescriptions for narcotic-based medications must be signed by a Maryland licensed dentist who has a DEA number.
  3. Prescriptions for the laboratory work must be signed by the resident, the financial officer, and the faculty.