It is not unheard of that, under some circumstances, with the passage of time, the mutually agreed plan may be forgotten or fades from memory, particularly where detailed medical or dental records are not maintained. Learn how each stage impacts treatment planning and case presentation and how they compare with Maslowâs hierarchy of needs. Dentists are trained to recognize the majority of commonly presenting oral problems and to manage them appropriately through a process of selecting the right course of treatment for each patient. The term “provisional treatment plan” is used to describe the interim plan containing overlapping phases of diagnosis and treatment, when further information is sought to garner a clearer picture to determine a firmer action plan. Factors that may confound the process include differences in perception and expectations between the dentist and patient. At its most complex, treatment planning is a challenging, complicated and rewarding decision-making process for both the clinician and patient that involves a two-way dialogue (interrogation and negotiation), leading preferably to short-, medium-, and long-term goals for the management of the patient’s dentition. Despite this, dedicated, active practice, with continuous proactive personal development may propel a dentist to the state of mastery of their field relative to contemporary knowledge. On the whole, this approach probably works when preceded by active learning through assessment of personal outcomes over a lengthy period. The dentist must understand clearly (defining the problem) what the patient expects at the first level. The dentist must be aware of the potential for such problems and be prepared to take appropriate action to circumvent them. In general dental practice, where a patient has often been under long-term care by a particular practice or dentist, the majority of interactions with the patient are part of continuing care. The compromised tooth may, therefore, be retained as a suitable space maintainer until a more definitive solution can be executed. This book provides essential knowledge for creating treatment plans for adult dental patients. All rights reserved. The textbook depiction of treatment planning commences at the first encounter with the patient, when a full assessment is made of the patient’s overall dental and oral problems. Active engagement in CPD is mandatory in some countries but not all. Despite this, dedicated, active practice, with continuous proactive personal development may propel a dentist to the state of mastery of their field relative to contemporary knowledge. NB: the relative cost may change depending on contemporary and local trends. In Chart, a planned procedure can now have the Treatment Plan phase and visit indicated to automatically organize on the patientâs Treatment Plan. 5.6b) and placed on continuing review until a mutually agreed decision can be reached with regards to which of the previously discussed restorative options to pursue. The Disease Control Phase of Treatment 8. Difficulties are often caused by the contradictory desires, requirements and perceptions of both dentist and patient. Gauge compliance in home-care and gingival health with further oral hygiene instruction as necessary, 5. At these recall reviews, note will be taken of any changes and dealt with according to a preplanned scheme for dealing with failure. 5.10b) and only evident in the apical third of the root associated with a periapical lesion. The “plan of treatment” to deliver the “treatment plan” will consist of checks to gauge compliance and success in pain management. A plan of management will have been established at the first encounter at some point in the past and, in the simplest cases, requires no more than a review (recall) to evaluate a change in overall status and provide motivation for maintenance. Implant. 5.10 (a) Discoloration of tooth following trauma; (b) radiographic evidence of pulp calcification and dentine sclerosis; (c) example of sclerosed canal in maxillary incisor; (d) canal successfully negotiated and obturated, Fig. Fig. Patientâs visit a dentist for their esthetic enhancement, malocclusal problems, correction or replacement of missing tooth, facial dental treatment, oral dental treatment and other requirements. Application: All dentists Exceptions: None Supporting Information: HRSA has the following treatment plan completion (Phase I) expectations for dental care: 20-30% Poor 30-50% Average ⦠Such a plan of action is not uncommon both in unrestored mouths and in those that are heavily restored and on the borderland of catastrophic transition to a different, perhaps partially edentulous state. Watch how Dr. Chotiner simplifies the dental treatment planning process with his 3 Step process. Defining a treatment plan for the periodontal patient is a process that requires the assessment, preventive, therapeutic, and evaluative skills of the dental hygienist and the dentist.The treatment plan is the blueprint for management of the dental case and is an essential aspect of successful therapy. They then may get a comprehensive dental clinical examination, a full set of X-rays, an oral cancer exam, diagnostic and intraoral photographs, complete periodontal charting and other exams, if needed. As COVID-19 continues, the ADA is reminding dentists that dental care should continue during the resurgence phase of the pandemic. CDC has updated the Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Dental Settings During the COVID-19 Response with additional guidance and clarification for dental care during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a Nov. 20 email to members, ADA President Daniel J. Klemmedson, D.D.S., M.D., addressed a question that has been on the minds of dentists everywhere: would the ADA once again recommend that dental ⦠Your dentist, not the internet, is the best resource for finding out the fee for a procedure. Such treatment patterns, based on clinical rationale but also shaped and influenced by business and management needs may lead to the passive application of heuristic principles to select treatment. For example, in periodontics, after the initial examination and diagnosis, phase 1 therapy often involves a sanative phase of basic scaling and root planning, a review of oral hygiene and an identification and modification of risks factors. Tracking Phase 1 Treatment Completion ⢠Create a dummy code in your EDR that will signify that phase 1 treatment is complete â¢Phase 1 treatment is complete when the patient has no active dental disease in their mouth; or when that disease is being actively managed. 5.2 Interrelationship between assessment and decision making, planning and delivery of treatment. 5.7 (a) Traumatized maxillary incisor; (b) maxillary incisor following endodontic treatment. This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. 1 This plan includes all ⦠The Maintenance Phase of Care Part III: Planning Treatment for Patients with Special ⦠It may not, however, serve those presenting with problems lying on the fringes of the normal distribution of the particular disease. A carefully considered dental treatment plan should be the starting point for care in any dental office. A cost–benefit analysis should be performed to aid the decision-making process as illustrated in Table 5.1. Clear and effective communication is the key to arriving at a mutually satisfactory treatment plan. Under these circumstances, the sudden precipitation of a pulpal or periapical problem may be managed in isolation as long as there are no complex restorative implications (Fig. The intellect and skills of such practitioners may consequently be stunted from flowering into their full potential. Scenario – a patient presents in pain with a poorly maintained mouth, several carious and periapical lesions and gingival inflammation. Treatment of acute problems including incision and drainage, first stage root canal treatment, extractions, 2. Phase 2 Tx plan completed and approved. Dental professionals should always be available to answer questions, but the treatment plan may be presented by a designated and dentally knowledgeable "treatment coordinator." A treatment plan should answer some important questions to make patients feel comfortable proceeding: Comprehensive treatment plans are always presented at a separate visit called a diagnostic consultation. The restorative challenges posed coupled with the desire of people to retain functional and aesthetic dentitions into later life have driven the development of the restorative subspecialities of endodontics, periodontics and prosthodontics into ever more complex scenarios. First, the dentist surgically places the implant into the jawbone. Treatment planning encompasses the phases of: dialogue with the patient (mutual interrogation and negotiation between patient and dentist) that leads to selection of the best course of action. What does a comprehensive treatment plan really mean? This may be defined as a strategic list or maybe detailed by visit. The options of vital pulp therapy or root-canal treatment may be considered. Clear, logical organization builds your understanding with sections on comprehensive patient evaluation, key treatment planning concepts, a detailed review of the five phases of planning treatment and guidelines for selecting the appropriate plan of care, and care planning for patients with special needs. Ethical and Legal Issues in Treatment Planning Part II: Phases of the Treatment Plan 5. Conscientious dentists, therefore, strive for improvement throughout their professional lives in what has now become formally recognized as continuing professional development (CPD). It is therefore considered best practice to keep detailed records of initial findings, option appraisals, discussions, rationale for decisions and informed consent for treatment. Treatment planning strategies are presented to help with balancing the ideal with the practical, with emphasis placed on the central role of the patient â whose needs should drive the treatment planning process. The typical pattern of clinical behaviour in the primary care (practice) setting is that recognition of a problem will lead to the triggering of a set treatment protocol. Management of carious lesions and preventive measures, 5. Their knowledge is therefore written in black and white, is clear and simple and may still serve the needs of those patients falling into the “central tendency” of disease presentation. The phase of assessment (establishment of a more complete picture of the problem(s) and patient compliance), therefore, often overlaps with the phases of decision making, planning and delivery of treatment (Fig. delivery of the planned treatment in an effective and efficient sequence. 5.7a). 5.8b). Fig. Many dental offices also offer payment plans or financing to coordinate with any dental insurance to make care more affordable. TREATMENT PLAN 2. Disease processes addressed by appropriate treatment and patient education. 5.2). Log In or, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window), Overall health and oral care of patients and the role of endodontics within it, Dentistry may be viewed as a speciality of medicine, yet it is itself a diverse and broad discipline. Problems in the oral cavity can lead to (or be caused by) medical problems. Implants may have a role as a third line intervention if root canal retreatment fails. Conversely, the knowledge and skills of endodontics must be deployed judiciously to ensure that the patient receives appropriate care, meaning that the specialist must also understand the broader context within which their expertise is exercised. Apply a step-by-step process for treatment planning any restorative case from simple to complex. Many dental or oral problems may be managed in different ways depending on the judgement about the presence, progression and morbidity of the disease, the options available for management and the needs of the patient. 5.6 (a) Symptomless 25 has been reviewed for some time and now has a sinus; (b) the same 25 has been retreated and is now under review to assess healing before making a decision about restorative options. To focus our dental care on moving patients toward stable oral health via the completion and tracking of treatment plan phases. Some patients may be physically unable to sit in the dental chair for extended periods of time. Their frame of reference extends no further than the teachings at undergraduate level. In this course, Dr. Frank Spear discusses four stages of a dental practice: Survival, growth, profit and transition. The dentist must gauge the problems correctly, as well as the patient’s attitude, motivation and compliance. The breadth of complex restorative problems has increased in modern populations because of better general health and longer survival of people and their teeth. The factors influencing the decision-making process are many and can be classified into general patient factors, professional background and philosophy of the dentist, general oral and dental condition, and local factors related to the problem tooth (teeth). Where there are such complex restorative implications, the lack of insight or desire (on the part of the dentist) to tackle them may influence outcome of the endodontic problem (Fig. In the case of simple dental problems, the dentist may be able to identify the problem efficiently, characterize it together with the patient’s needs and select the correct management option expeditiously. Further personal experience and development may lead to recognition of rarer presentations as well. 5.11). Their knowledge is therefore written in black and white, is clear and simple and may still serve the needs of those patients falling into the “central tendency” of disease presentation. In the event that the traumatic injury in such circumstances is accompanied by severe coronal tooth fracture, the restorative prognosis may be further jeopardized (Fig. 5.10a). Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) an⦠CONTENT Introduction Basic principles Phases Comprehensive treatment plan Modification Treatment planning in our context Merits of treatment planning Summary. This hypothetical yet familiar illustration of operator and patient perspectives, which many will identify with, illustrates some sources of problematic communication. First, it may allow the patient to financially manage the ideal treatment plan. In the ideal scenario, each option should be evaluated in an objective way taking the above factors into account, weighing the effectiveness and projected long-term prognosis (based on outcome data) with compliance, cost and time commitment. 11, JUNE 12 1999 PRACTICE tooth surface loss 1 Treatment planning R. Ibbetson 1 An effective treatment plan is dependent on gathering information from the history, exami-nation and special tests, such as radiographs and vitality testing, and analysing it to make a diag-nosis. Table 4. As the number of dental problems to be addressed increases (Fig. Further personal experience and development may lead to recognition of rarer presentations as well. Scale and polish and oral hygiene instruction, 3. Other restorative factors may not come into the equation at this stage but will be discussed with the patient. Dentistry may be viewed as a speciality of medicine, yet it is itself a diverse and broad discipline. The ADHA has taken the position which supports the dental hygiene diagnosis, and has defined it as, âThe identification of an individualâs health behaviors, attitudes, and oral health care needs for which a dental hygienist is educationally qualified and licensed to provide.â 4 The dental hygiene diagnosis, including the planning and evaluating phases⦠Under these circumstances, the precipitation of a pulpal or periapical problem and even worse multiple problems that occur in rapid succession may cause the need for a radical review of the options. You would no sooner pack some clothes, get into the car and take off for a trip with no chosen destination than you should begin any dental treatment without a clear idea of where you are headed! ⦠The end point of this is a series of conclusions about the general health of the patient and their current oral and dental problems; these will be juxtaposed with the patient’s own perception of their problem(s) and desires for correction of the same. The Definitive Phase of Treatment 9. A “definitive treatment plan” emerges as the information becomes more complete and the wishes of the patient and dentist crystallize into a more concrete, mutually acceptable proposal. If a dentist has done their work properly, most questions center around how long treatment will take, and of course the cost. 5.8a) in order to aid completion of root formation and improve the long-term restorative prognosis (Fig. A recent health economic study using a Markov model evaluating the cost-effectiveness of clinical intervention over the life-time of an adult patient revealed that root-canal treatment is highly cost-effective as a first line intervention for a maxillary central incisor. The patient receives a report outlining all findings and recommendations, including any options, a copy of their diagnostic photos and a ⦠Conscientious general dental practitioners in many countries are, therefore, faced with the prospect of making a judgement about their own knowledge and skill limitation in the context of what a colleague with specialist status may achieve. However, the recognition and management of the, Conversely, the knowledge and skills of endodontics must be deployed judiciously to ensure that the patient receives appropriate care, meaning that the specialist must also understand the broader context within which their expertise is exercised. TREATMENT PLAN Development of a treatment plan is the most critical step in the successful future management of the patient DIAGNOSIS- ⦠The goal of this evaluation is to ensure that prior medical and dental issues are completely under control before treatment begins. A patient's voluntary agreement to a treatment plan after details of the proposed treatment have been presented and comprehended by the patient. Once the treatment is completed, the patient will be recruited to a recall system to evaluate and maintain the work. How much will it cost (including any insurance coverage). In simple terms, this means that the dentist should be well versed in all aspects of dentistry, understanding the role of each aspect in overall patient management, as well as being aware of potential overlaps and interactions between the subdisciplines. 5.8 (a) Traumatized maxillary incisor with an open apex, receiving pulp therapy; (b) traumatized maxillary incisor root filled following root closure, Fig. Small changes to the situation may be managed by minimal intervention and a “patchwork” approach but this also demands a more vigilant rather than complacent review strategy. ⢠It saves time and energy. 5.4). The true scale of difficulty in treatment planning is only truly appreciated by those conscious and conscientious enough to endeavour to improve the service delivered to their patients. Even under the best set of circumstances, the most complete and definitive picture of the problems may not be reached because of deficiencies in diagnostic certainty and prognostic data on treatment outcomes. 5.1 Hierarchical importance of knowledge context. (c) maxillary incisor restored, If, under the same circumstances, the patient was younger with an incompletely formed root, the decision may now lean towards the more conservative vital pulp therapy (, (a) Traumatized maxillary incisor with an open apex, receiving pulp therapy; (b) traumatized maxillary incisor root filled following root closure, (a) Maxillary central incisors with root-canal treatment to control apical periodontitis and inflammatory resorption following traumatic injury; (b) same teeth affected by replacement resorption, were subsequently replaced with implant-retained crowns, Consider an identical scenario but where a traumatized, intact, mature, maxillary central incisor has been left untreated for years as the pulp slowly succumbs and the patient seeks attention either because of an acute infection or the discoloration caused by secondary dentine formation and/or pulp necrosis (, (a) Discoloration of tooth following trauma; (b) radiographic evidence of pulp calcification and dentine sclerosis; (c) example of sclerosed canal in maxillary incisor; (d) canal successfully negotiated and obturated, (a) Sclerosed canal in central incisor managed by apicectomy and root-end filling; (b) the treatment failed and required a further procedure when />, 18: The oral medicine and oral surgery–endo interface, 1: Introduction to endodontology and endodontics, 3: Biological and clinical rationale for vital pulp therapy, 16: The medical–endo interface and patients with special needs, 11: Management of acute emergencies and traumatic dental injuries, 4: Biological and clinical rationale for root-canal treatment and management of its failure. The phase of assessment (establishment of a more complete picture of the problem(s) and patient compliance), therefore, often overlaps with the phases of decision making, planning and delivery of treatment (, Interrelationship between assessment and decision making, planning and delivery of treatment, Even under the best set of circumstances, the most complete and definitive picture of the problems may not be reached because of deficiencies in diagnostic certainty and prognostic data on treatment outcomes. Complete root canal treatments on predictably restorable teeth, 7. However, the recognition and management of the full spectrum of complex oral and dental problems requires an approach based on deeper understanding of the problem and a higher level of engagement of cognitive, technical and clinical skills, acquired through specific advanced training. It includes: 2. Now other considerations come into play, including the potential for successful outcome by conventional or surgical means, as well as the desire for correcting the discoloration. Small changes to the situation may be managed by minimal intervention and a “patchwork” approach but this also demands a more vigilant rather than complacent review strategy. Recognition of personal limitations in knowledge and skills, or seeking appropriate referral, is the key to finding a solution. In the case of complex dental problems, it may be rare for both patient and dentist to develop such complete pictures of the problems and outcomes of restorative options as early as the first consultation. In essence, the process consists of assessing and accounting for the relevant problems at the level of the patient (their personal perspective on health and social well-being), then at the level of oral function (eating, speaking and aesthetics), and then at the level of the tooth (specific tooth-related problems). The textbook depiction of treatment planning commences, Scale and polish and oral hygiene instruction, Management of carious lesions and preventive measures, Root canal treatment of teeth with apical periodontitis, Root canal retreatment of root-filled teeth with apical periodontitis, Replacement of missing teeth with fix or removable prostheses, Orthopantomogram (OPG) of difficult problems, In essence, the process consists of assessing and accounting for the relevant problems at the level of the patient (their personal perspective on health and social well-being), then at the level of oral function (eating, speaking and aesthetics), and then at the level of the tooth (specific tooth-related problems). Since these become important legal records, their composition demands appropriate care and professionalism. Dental treatment planning is one of the greatest challenges that come to correct smile and teeth alignment. In the case of simple dental problems, the dentist may be able to identify the problem efficiently, characterize it together with the patient’s needs and select the correct management option expeditiously. The ⦠In the context of a healthcare profession, the “endodontist” must, therefore be a human being first, dentist second and endodontist last (Fig. Unfortunately, some dental practitioners take the receipt of their practising licence as the end of formal professional development. The aim of this chapter is to highlight the factors important in planning the endodontic management of pulpal and periradicular diseases and how to prioritize them in the context of the patient’s overall dental and oral needs. It may progress as follows: 1. In simple terms, this means that the dentist should be well versed in all aspects of dentistry, understanding the role of each aspect in overall patient management, as well as being aware of potential overlaps and interactions between the subdisciplines. The dentist must, A plan is then made of the sequence in which treatment will be executed, called the “, Treatment of acute problems including incision and drainage, first stage root canal treatment, extractions, Immediate denture if necessary, oral hygiene instruction, diet instruction and fluoride mouthwash, Stabilize carious lesions in conjunction with scale and polish and reinforcement of oral hygiene instruction, Gauge compliance in home-care and gingival health with further oral hygiene instruction as necessary, Provide definitive plastic restorations for carious teeth in order of priority dependent on presence of sensitivity and integrity of temporary restorations, Complete root canal treatments on predictably restorable teeth, Carry out periapical surgery, if necessary, Review prognosis of treated teeth, design definitive removable or fixed prosthesis and decide on teeth requiring cast restorations (compliance should be absolute at this stage), The reality of practice, informed consent and medical records, In general dental practice, where a patient has often been under long-term care by a particular practice or dentist, the majority of interactions with the patient are part of continuing care. The decision-making now has to be aided by weighing the relative chances of success of the different endodontic options and, finally, also the restorative/aesthetic outcome. Updated August 28, 2020. The options available to treat endodontic problems include dentine and pulp protection, vital pulp therapy, root canal treatment, root canal retreatment or periradicular surgery (including root-end management, root repair, root resection or extraction). The choice will centre on the prognosis of each treatment (based on biological factors) and the long-term benefit to the patient. Updates include additional guidance on physical distancing and how to respond to SARS-CoV-2 exposures among dental ⦠Informed Refusal A patient's decision to refuse recommended treatment after all options, potential risks, and potential benefits have been thoroughly explained. Using evidence-based research, this book shows how risk assessment, prognosis, and expected treatment outcomes factor into the planning ⦠Active engagement in CPD is mandatory in some countries but not all. After considering all of the information the dental team has gathered, the team can begin to create an individualized dental treatment plan for each patient. For ⦠Weighing of prognosis and relative cost of endodontic and restorative options (based on average figures). If you are concerned about the cost, many resources like the American Dental Association can help you budget for and afford treatment. The goal is ⦠5.3), so does the interaction between options for individual problems. Orthograde retreatment is also cost-effective, if a root-canal treatment subsequently fails, but surgical retreatment is not. Visualize ideal esthetics and ideal function. Stages of Dental Care Home » Stages of Dental Care Our family dentist, Dr. Steele, provides pediatric dental care to infants and children ages 0 â 18, and helps guide expectant motherâs through their special oral health need during and post pregnancy. Unfortunately, some dental practitioners take the receipt of. 1 Urgent, 1 or 2 Up to £56.30 CoT 2 Reassessment phase It is not uncommon and perfectly valid for patients on long-term recall, to have the supervising dentist place individual teeth on probation to review their status at a subsequent time because of uncertainty about a diagnosis or the progression of a lesion (Fig. It is exemplified by the realization of the conscientiously developing dentist that the more they begin to understand the more they realize the extent of their knowledge limitation. Factors such as technical feasibility, cost and time involved, dentist’s preferences based on their skills and knowledge, and the patient’s age, means, wishes and compliance in oral care may all play a part in determining the final outcome. To that end, practices may differ in what information they deem necessary to create a good treatment plan. 5.11 (a) Sclerosed canal in central incisor managed by apicectomy and root-end filling; (b) the treatment failed and required a further procedure when />, Only gold members can continue reading. Treatment required prior to Phase 3 treatment is now completed. In any case, the options will be discussed with the patient and, after appropriate dialogue, negotiation and clarification, a mutually agreed choice of treatment or “treatment plan” will emerge (Box 5.1). The latter situation describes the not uncommon condition of an ageing or restoratively ravaged dentition, where one further change could precipitate a radical review of the overall dental strategy for the patient, with major implications of time and cost. Conscientious dentists, therefore, strive for improvement throughout their professional lives in what has now become formally recognized as continuing professional development (CPD). Provide definitive plastic restorations for carious teeth in order of priority dependent on presence of sensitivity and integrity of temporary restorations, 6. The Systemic Phase of Treatment 6. Carry out periapical surgery, if necessary, 8. Review prognosis of treated teeth, design definitive removable or fixed prosthesis and decide on teeth requiring cast restorations (compliance should be absolute at this stage). The general dental practitioner with a special interest in endodontics will have the advantage that they will grasp both the broader aspects of the patients’ needs, as well as be able to deliver a higher level of care in endodontics, albeit perhaps not at a specialist level. Their frame of reference extends no further than the teachings at undergraduate level. On radiographic examination, it is found that the canal is sclerosed (Fig. Confused people tend not to make decisions, and after all, a dental professional's goal is to help their patients take control of their oral health. 2. Consider an identical scenario but where a traumatized, intact, mature, maxillary central incisor has been left untreated for years as the pulp slowly succumbs and the patient seeks attention either because of an acute infection or the discoloration caused by secondary dentine formation and/or pulp necrosis (Fig. This implies an ongoing process of information exchange and informed consent whereby the full extent of risks and benefits are shared and acted upon. Develop your skills in evaluation and dental treatment planning for all types of patients! A plan of management will have been established at the first encounter at some point in the past and, in the simplest cases, requires no more than a review (recall) to evaluate a change in overall status and provide motivation for maintenance. The nature of this next encounter, in all likelihood with somebody with a different philosophical perspective, may raise different opinions about the previous management. If not, injudicious dentine removal may result in compromised restorability of the tooth. The opportunities of specialization have allowed clinicians to develop their skills and knowledge in a restricted area of practice to a much higher level, but usually to the exclusion of other generalist skills. 5.3 Orthopantomogram (OPG) of difficult problems. -"Best care" treatment plan-Alternative treatment plan-Risks-Benefits-Prognosis 2) Estimate length of time needed and cost involved 3) Predict anticipated outcomes 4) Collaborate with the dentist 5) Document and present to client and obtain consent The last option also requires a consideration of the alternative restorative options. Treatment planning we learned in dental school is a great foundation from a clinical standpoint, but once youâre out in the âreal worldâ â either as an associate or in your own practice â proper ⦠552 BRITISH DENTAL JOURNAL, VOLUME 186, NO. A dental practice may start every adult patient's first visit with an interview that takes into consideration the patient's dental and medical history (and desired outcomes). This does, however, mean that the onus of ensuring the coordinated and appropriate delivery of whole mouth and patient care rests with the referring general dental practitioner, in conjunction with other specialists and the medical practitioner where necessary. The dentist will have been trained, by necessity, to recognize only the commonly presenting tendencies in each disease. In the matter of the former problem, it has to be established whether the operator is confident of locating the canal using a conventional coronal approach (Fig. The Acute Phase of Treatment 7. II.RISKFACTORS Whether or not the patient presents for dental hygiene carewithcurrentoraldisease,severalriskfactorscanbe Such communication should be recorded in writing and formalized in letters. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. The intellect and skills of such practitioners may consequently be stunted from flowering into their full potential. ⢠It helps sequence the care with proper prioritization of the childâs dental needs. In this scenario, there is an increasing number of uncertainties as outcomes are less predictable. Root canal treatment of teeth with apical periodontitis, 6. 5.5). Stabilize carious lesions in conjunction with scale and polish and reinforcement of oral hygiene instruction, 4. Immediate denture if necessary, oral hygiene instruction, diet instruction and fluoride mouthwash, 3. Additionally, if the dentist feels that a patient's case is complex and will rise to an "interdisciplinary" level involving multiple specialists, then they might also refer the patient to another practitioner. Diagnosis and Treatment Planning in Dentistry, 3rd Edition provides a full-color guide to creating treatment plans based on a comprehensive patient assessment. 5.9). A good dental treatment plan will do that and leave patients confident with the dentist they have selected for dental treatment and put a smile on their face! The typical pattern of clinical behaviour in the primary care (practice) setting is that recognition of a problem will lead to the triggering of a set treatment protocol. Dental professionals should always be available to answer questions, but the treatment plan may be presented by a designated and dentally knowledgeable "treatment coordinator." Being thorough and attentive to detail communicates to patients that a dental team cares, which helps to build trust between patients and their care providers. The dentist must use their skills and knowledge to deliver the integrated treatment that will meet the patient’s expectations at the tooth level. It is therefore important that a rational analysis of the situation is performed conscientiously and difficult restorative decisions taken promptly as necessary, rather than procrastinating to another time when the situation is likely to be worse. Dentists are trained to recognize the majority of commonly presenting oral problems and to manage them appropriately through a process of selecting the right course of treatment for each patient. Dr. Zackary T. Faber explains why he believes being able to comprehensively treatment-plan a case is the most important principle in dentistry. 5.10d). If a patient has a significant concern, such as pain, this need is addressed prior to initiating dental hygiene treatment. 5.1). Every dental office has its own way of operating and treating patients. ; In Clinical Practice boxes ⦠5.9 (a) Maxillary central incisors with root-canal treatment to control apical periodontitis and inflammatory resorption following traumatic injury; (b) same teeth affected by replacement resorption, were subsequently replaced with implant-retained crowns. Decision-making for them is a matter of following the simple heuristic decision-tree delivered as expedient undergraduate teaching. The dentist’s insight will include the state of the patient’s dentition, periodontium, the teeth (presence of caries or tooth surface loss and their pulpal and periapical status), any restorations and soft tissues. A number of potential problems, not causing current difficulties will, therefore have been identified but a mutually agreed decision made between patient and dentist to leave the tooth/teeth alone and periodically review them. The ways in which these may be resolved are numerous, even forming the basis for practice-marketing strategies.