ORAL MAXILOFACIAL AND SURGERY

2006-11-24T07:44:00.000-08:00

HISTORY

History taking is an inherent prerequisite to successful patient care. An unconscious, intubated, or otherwise compromised patient surrounded by a flurry of emergency department activities can rarely provide an adequate history of the injury-producing mechanism. Oftern the examiner must rely on relatives, friends or informed witnesses. Preinjury medical history is also vital to the immediate and long term care of the patient. There may be little time for exhaustive history taking when resuscitative measures are required immediately. Obtaining the pertinent medical history may be facilitated by using the AMPLE mnemonic.

A Allergies
M Medications
P Past Illnesses
L Last meals
E Events related to the injury

The history obtained from patients with Dentoalveolar injury should include the following information:
1) Biographic and demographic data on the patients, including name, age, sx, race, address, and phone number
2) The time interval between the injury and presentation to the clinic or emergency room.
3) The place where the accident occurred. This may provide clues to the degree of bacterial contamination and the need for tetanus prophylaxis
4) The nature of the accident. This can provide insight into the type of injury that should be suspected
5) Information related to the events surrounding the accident. This includes wether teeth or pieces of teeth were noted at the accident site
6) Whether any changes in the occlusion occur as the result of the injury. Such changes may indicates tooth displacement or dento alveolar or jaw fracture.
7) A short medical and dental history to delineate anysystemic or dental factors that might influences the immediate and later treatment plans. Such factor include the presence of major systemic illness. Especially bleeding disorders and epilepsy

DENTISTRY

ORAL MAXILOFACIAL AND SURGERY