福利姬视频

While staff can assist patients with completing or updating their forms, the dentist is ultimately responsible for obtaining, maintaining, and reviewing current health histories.

Key steps include:

• Ensuring patients understand the questions
• Encouraging patients to ask for clarification
• Confirming all questions are fully completed
• Obtaining the patient’s signature

The health history process helps set the tone for a positive patient experience and provides critical information needed for safe and effective care.

A complete medical/dental history can:

• Reveal conditions or medications that affect treatment decisions
• Identify medications that may interact with anesthetics or influence post operative care
• Uncover sensitive issues, such as opioid use or recovery, that patients may hesitate to disclose

Failure to gather or update health histories can create risks for both the patient and the practice. You may also want to consult with your professional liability insurance company and a qualified attorney to ensure you are in compliance with the recommended best practices for your location.

Common elements include:

• Current and past medical conditions, illnesses, surgeries
• Primary care provider and specialist contact information
• Current medications
• Reason for seeking dental care
• Additional notes from the dentist–patient conversation

After the patient completes the form, the dentist should:

• Review it before meeting the patient
• Discuss relevant details before any examination or treatment
• Add any new information gathered during discussion
• Answer patient questions
• Sign and date or e-sign the completed form with the patient

• Active patients of record should review and update their history at every visit.
• All patients should complete a new health history form every two years.
• Document discussions about health or medication changes, including the date and the staff member involved.

Active Patients of Record

A patient is considered active if they received dental services:

• Within the past 12 months, or
• Within the past 24 months but not the past 12 months

Patients who transfer records to another dentist or end care should not be counted as active.

If a patient reports no significant medical issues or has no current physician鈥攅specially with conditions like hypertension鈥攖ake appropriate steps, such as:

• Documenting vital signs and findings
• Advising the patient to see a physician
• Delaying treatment until the condition is managed
• Following up to confirm medical consultation
• Considering dismissal from the practice if the patient refuses necessary care

Dentists are not obligated to treat every patient.