Making a diagnosis Flashcards
What are the steps in making a diagnosis?
History
Examination
Special investigations
Diagnosis
Treatment
When does examination begin?
When the patient walks through the door
What do the following abbreviations mean-
C/O
HPC
PMH
PDH
SH
C/O - complaining of
HPC- history of present complaint
PMH- past medical history
PDH- past dental history
SH- social history
What do you check for in the extra oral examination?
-Temporomandibular Joints
* Muscles
* Nodes
* Symmetry
* Aesthetics
What can enlarged lymph nodes be a result of?
Infection/inflammatory process
Malignant Neoplasm (primary or metastatic)
What could an unsymmetrical face indicate?
-enlarged muscle
-swelling
-grinding (bruxism)
-neoplasm (abnormal mass of cells)
What are signs of disease or complicating factors for dental treatment?
Bruxism
Mobility
Tenderness
Listen (percussion)
What are examples of special investigations?
Sensitivity / Vitality Test
Mobility tests
Radiographs
Plaque Score
Biopsy
What is a device used to examine sensitivity/vitality?
Electric Pulp test
Ethyl Chloride ( thermal cold)
What can you use to examine the mobility of adjacent teeth?
One finger and end of mirror
What is the difference between provisional and final diagnosis?
provisional is what the clinician thinks it is, definite diagnosis needs more tests
How would you confirm the cause of ulceration?
Biopsy
How would you examine Perio Status?
Probing
Pocket depth
Bleeding on probing
Subgingival calculus
Plaque retention factors
