The forgotten value of scoring and charting

摘要

A visual examination with precise probing and detailed charting provides the critical evidence needed to make an informed diagnosis and tailor a treatment plan for the patient. It also provides a measurable record of disease progression or an evaluation of healing over time. It can be easy to miss early signs of pathologies that can potentially develop significantly without a systematic approach to assessment. An oral examination of a conscious patient gives clues to underlying dental problems, but many issues cannot be truly recognised until the patient is anaesthetised and an in-depth assessment is made. This is where comprehensive probing and charting comes in to its own because it builds a complete picture of the patient's oral health. A skilled dental vet or nurse must be proficient at examining the oral cavity and clearly recording findings.