Patient history
Patient history
Details from the history of individual symptoms (e.g. bleeding gums on brushing, swollen gums, bad breath, loose or drifting teeth) will help the clinician identify what, if any, problems need to be addressed for the patient. In addition, collecting an up-to-date medical, social and dental history for each patient enables risk factor identification and can inform an assessment of the patient’s risk of developing periodontal disease or of existing disease progressing. Knowledge of risk factors can also be used to inform a patient’s future care.
Some of this information can be collected before a dental appointment using specific dental questionnaires and medical history forms. Patients might require assistance with this.
To inform an assessment of the patient’s risk for periodontal disease development or progression:
Collect or update the patient’s dental (e.g. toothbrushing frequency, use of interdental aids), social (e.g. smoking status, alcohol intake) and medical history (e.g. current medication and medical conditions).
Identify and record any factors that might impact the risk of developing periodontal disease or worsen existing disease (see Risk factors for periodontal diseases).