Unit 304 - oral health assessment/diagnosis Flashcards
What are the 2 main purposes of carrying out the oral health assessment?
-prevention of disease by regular opportunities to reinforce oral health and general health messages.
-early detection and diagnosis when disease is already present.
What are the 3 main diseases that dentist look for during an assessment?
caries, gingivitis, periodontal disease
Within oral health assessments what are dentist there to do?
make the initial diagnosis, treatment plan and carry out treatments.
Within oral health assessments what are hygienist there to do?
works directly with patients or under the perscription from a dentist, maintain oral health and prevent it from worsening.
Within oral health assessments what are therapist there to do?
works directly with patients or under the perscription of a dentist to carry out certain treatments if necessary
Within oral health assessments what are dental nurses there to do?
assist the dentist, providing clinical and other support during the assessment/treatment, reinforce all oral hygiene messages given to the patient.
Why are vitality tests preformed?
Help to determine whether a tooth is vital or non - vital
Examples of materials/instruments the dentist will use to preform a vitality test- hot, cold and electrical.
Hot - greenstick compound - type of GP (vaseline should be applied to the tooth prior to prevent further pain)
Cold - ethyl chloride - produce ice crystals in room temperature
Electric - electric pulp tester
In regards to vitality testing what response would inidicate a healthy pulp?
Normal
In regards to vitality testing what response would inidicate early pulpitis?
increased response
In regards to vitality testing what response would inidicate that the pulp is dying?
reduced response
In regards to vitality testing what response would inidicate that the pulp tissue has died?
no response
Why is it necessary sometimes for a dentist to take study models?
consider a patients occlusion before deciding on any treatments.
What cases are study models useful?
occlusal analysis, ortho cases, tooth surface loss is present due to grinding/erosion so the dentist can monitor this, unwanted tooth movement is suspected.
Why are photographs taken during an oral health assessment?
record aspects of the dentition/soft tissues
- soft tissue lesions to aid diagnosis
-injury following trauma
-before and afters
How are photographs taken , what with?
conventional cameras, digital cameras or specialist intraoral digital cameras.
Where are extraoral soft tissues?
those outside the mouth
When a dentist is checking extraoral soft tissues, what will they be looking for with the external face signs?
skin colour, facial symmetry, presence of blemishes - moles/coldsores.
When a dentist is checking extraoral soft tissues, what will they be looking for with the lips?
change in colour or size, presence of blemishes and palpating for any abnormalities
When a dentist is checking extraoral soft tissues, what will they be looking for with the lymph nodes?
any swelling or abnormalities - indicate infection or a more sinister lesion.
Where are the lymph nodes located?
under the mandible and in the neck
If a patients skin colour was to change from pinky to pale/clammy what may this inidcate?
patient may faint
Why is checking facial asymmetry so important?
indicate the presence of swelling, issues with the nerve supply or muscular control.
What type of cancer is skin cancer?
Melanoma
Why is it important that the lips are examined?
to check for blemishes e.g. cold sores (herpes simplex type 1) or the presence of mucoceles.
What are mucoceles?
Minor salivary gland cysts
What colour lips indicate chronic heart failure?
tinged bluish-purple
Enlargement of lymph nodes could indicate:
the body is fighting infection or some other disease process
When a dentist is checking intraoral soft tissues, what will they be looking for with the labial, buccal and sulcus mucosa?
colour and texture, presence of any white patches (especially buccal) and moisture level
When a dentist is checking intraoral soft tissues, what will they be looking for with the palatal mucosa?
hard and soft palates, the oropharynx and tonsils
When a dentist is checking intraoral soft tissues, what will they be looking for with the tongue?
colour and texture, shape and movement, level of mobility.
Where is the most common place within the oral cavity for oral carcinoma to develop?
beneath the tongue