National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Practice Exam

What type of check-in should be done before patient treatment?

1. A visual check of equipment

2. A financial assessment

3. Completed and updated medical history

4. A review of social media

The correct answer is: Completed and updated medical history

The correct choice involves ensuring that the patient's medical history is completed and updated prior to treatment. This is crucial for several reasons. First, a thorough medical history provides vital information about the patient's health status, including any chronic conditions, allergies, medications, or previous treatments that could impact their current dental care. Understanding these factors helps the dental team make informed decisions about the treatment plan and mitigate any potential risks during procedures. Moreover, having an updated medical history is essential for compliance with legal and ethical guidelines in dental practice. It not only protects the patient but also safeguards the practitioners against liability. It is considered standard practice to review and update the medical history at every patient visit, ensuring that any changes in the patient’s health are taken into account. The other options, while relevant in different contexts, do not address the immediate concerns related to patient safety and care that arise before treatment begins. A visual check of equipment is important but secondary to understanding the patient's health. A financial assessment may be part of overall practice management, but it is not directly related to the immediate care of the patient. A review of social media is generally not relevant to patient treatment and doesn't provide actionable information regarding health conditions or treatment needs.