Patient evaluation is used on every patient for every appointment.

We have to evaluate

the patient to come up with their individualized treatment plans and then we do another

evaluation after treatment to see if if we provided adequate dental hygiene care.

I decided to use my local anesthesia proficiency from clinic for patient evaluation

because the patients I suggested local anesthesia on had probing depths larger than 5mm and

had not had a cleaning in a while. Through patient evaluation with periodontal probing,

calculus detection, and observing the patient’s pain tolerance I determined which patients would

benefit the most with local anesthesia prior to scaling and root planing.

I also provided my nutritional counseling and OHI proficiency. Nutritional counseling

and oral hygiene instruction helps with evaluating the patient’s home care and helps determine

if we need to modify their treatment plans, discuss a diet that is beneficial to their dental health,

improve their oral hygiene home care, or recommend dental products or auxiliary aids.

Obtaining a plaque score is the first step in evaluating how well the patient is utilizing proper

home care. I also provided my blood pressure proficiency with a manual cuff. Blood pressure

is obtained at the beginning of every appointment to determine if it is at a healthy level to start

dental treatment.

My maintenance patient proficiencies and grade sheets are helpful in evaluating if my

patients are understanding the oral hygiene instruction I provided them with at their previous

appointment. If their calculus and plaque build-up doesn’t seem to be improving then I can

provide them with more education on oral health and home care or see if I need to demonstrate
or explain in terms that are easier for patients who do not have an adequate understanding of

dental terminology.