Electronic Patient Forms
	Help for Adult Online Forms
Electronic Patient Forms	Help for Children's Online Forms
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There are two goals of the new patient consultation.  First, begin to establish a personal relationship based on trust and an open discussion of issues that may affect your dental health.  There are medical, hereditary, personal, dietary, etc. factors that can benefit or harm your teeth, gums, jaw muscles, salivary glands and jaw joints.

The second goal is the gathering of information used to evaluate and diagnose your current dental health.  The main function of the evaluation is to note any signs of disease or instability.  The following are areas evaluated:

 

• Dental history and current patient concerns
• The patient’s desires and goals for her teeth
• Medical history and current conditions
• Head and neck exam

Jaw joints (TMJs or temporomandibular joints)

Muscles of the jaw, neck, and shoulders

Parotid salivary glands

Skin of the face and neck

• Oral Cancer Screening
• Airway Evaluation/Apnea risk
• Occlusal Examination
  Bite Issues
  Destructive side-to-side tooth contacts
  Excessive tooth wear or mobility
• Periodontal (Gum) Disease screening
  Has any tooth supporting bone been lost?
  Are the gums red and inflamed?
  Is the cause local (in the mouth) or systemic (disease and/or medication related)?
  Has periodontal disease been active, but is now stable?
• Caries (tooth decay) and current conditions of restorations (fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, dentures, etc.)
  Is tooth decay present?
  What are the risks factors driving the decay? Sodas, medicine, dry mouth, etc.
  Are current restorations leaking or broken?
  Should a maintenance plan for aging and failing restorations be made?
• Functional Issues
  Tooth grinding and clenching habits
  Central nervous system driven tooth destruction from Parkinson’s, cerebral palsy, tardive dyskinesia or certain medications.
  Restrictive bite
  Habits: nail biting, fishing line biting, pen chewing, etc.
• Radiographic Survey (X-rays)
  Past dental treatment received or current issues determine the appropriate combinations of radiographs.