Medical History - Why We Need To Know

Taking a patient’s medical history is vital to increase the dental practitioner’s awareness of any diseases or medications which could interfere with dental treatment.

Dentists are legally obligated to not only check and confirm a patient’s medical history but to also only provide treatment if it is safe to do so. Every new patient who joins S3 Dental Eltham will need to fill out a medical history form and existing patients will be required to resubmit an up-to-date medical history form annually. Patients who fail to disclose their full medical history risk compromising their own health but also jeopardising the treating clinicians’ professional obligations.

Why does the dentist need to know what medication you take?

In order to ensure all planned treatment is safe to carry out an up-to-date list of medications is vital. Some medications may mean it is not safe for your treatment to be carried out in the dental practice and you may need to be referred to a specialist. Other medications such as blood thinners may require you to have a blood test to check your INR levels before extracting a tooth.

What conditions affect your dental treatment?

Pregnancy – During pregnancy, you may find your gums bleed more and may require extra attention. For those who suffer from morning sickness, you may find the acid causes tooth wear. Your dentist is also likely to delay taking radiographs until after the baby is born.

Epilepsy – Stress or anxiety can bring on an epileptic seizure so it is important your dentist is aware and can take extra measures to make sure you are comfortable and relaxed.

Diabetes – People with diabetes generally take longer to heal after treatment and often suffer from periodontal disease (gum disease).  It is important for your dentist to be aware so they can keep on top of your gum health. They may recommend regular visits to Lucy our hygienist.

Weakened Immune System – Before performing dental treatments your dentist may decide it is necessary for you to take premedication (antibiotic cover) to prevent the bacteria from entering the bloodstream and causing infection elsewhere in the body.

Allergies – It is very important the dentist is aware of any allergies before prescribing a treatment or medication. To prevent unnecessary and potentially very dangerous allergic reactions make sure your dentist is aware of any allergies to medication, foods and materials.

Rheumatic Fever Or Heart Complaints – It is not always necessary to prescribe antibiotic cover to people suffering from rheumatic fever or other heart conditions however the dentist may decide to use an anaesthetic which doesn’t contain adrenaline.

Antibiotic Cover.

Some patients require antibiotic cover before we can provide any dental treatment. For some patients, even a simple clean with the hygienist requires premedication (antibiotic cover) to prevent the risk of infective endocarditis. Patients will be advised by their doctors to take this prior to treatment and we will need to know this before we start any dental work. Patients who fail to take the appropriate cover for their appointment will be asked to rebook and still be charged a fee for the appointment time.

All information obtained is kept confidential and will only be used to ensure our patients receive the best care possible. If you have any medical conditions you think we should be aware of please let your dentist know at your next appointment.