D.D.S. Exams Guidelines

(Periodic oral exam / or investigation of a concern)

The covering Dentist will expect the following steps to be completed before a dental faculty member will perform a periodic oral exam or a limited problem focused oral exam:

Review medical history with the patient
1. Update any changes in medications
  1. Document this in the patient EPR with the date followed by the medications and dosages
2. If patient can’t remember a new medication/dosage, document this as well.
3. If there are any changes in medical history, update the medical history form in the EPR.
Review radiographs
1. Check the date of the last full series
2. Check the date of the last Panoramic
3. Check the date of the last bitewings
  1. For the guidelines on when to update radiographs, see Radiology Guidelines.
4. Update radiographs as necessary
Perform your clinical exam
1. Summarize your findings for the dentist
  1. Periodontal concerns
    1. Pockets 4+mm
    2. Significant mobility
  2. Caries
  3. Anything of note that you feel needs to be evaluated by the dentist.

If the patient has a chief complaint and they are not due for their DDS exam this visit, then you still need to go through the same steps 1-3. In addition to those you should also ask the following questions:

History of Present Illness
1. How long has the patient had this problem?

When you present the patient to the dentist for the exam use the following format:

Introduce the patient to the faculty member.
Mr. /Ms. X presents today for a recall exam.
Student discreetly presents medical history to faculty. (Allow the faculty to read the medical history). Remember to be as private as possible.
Blood pressure today is.
Relay the chief complaint, if there is one, or concern.
Present the radiographs. Note any radiographic findings that are new and pertinent.
Review your clinical findings at this time.