Goals

1. Plaque:
Long Term Goal: Patient will lower his plaque score by .3 at every appointment.
Short Term Goal: Patient will describe plaque and how it forms by the
2
nd
Appointment.
Short Term Goal: Patient will correctly use brushing technique shown to
him by the 3
rd
appointment.
Short Term Goal: Patient will choose to floss 1-2x/daily by the 4
th

appointment.
2. Periodontal Disease:
Long Term Goal: Patient will cease the progress of bone loss by improved pocket
depths by his 3 month recall.
Short Term Goal: Patient will define periodontal disease and causes of it
by 2
nd
appointment.
Short Term Goal: Patient will continue good oral care (brushing/flossing)
Short Term Goal: Patient needs to visit dental office as required to
assess the progression of the condition (frequent recalls).
3. Caries:
Long Term Goal: Patient will get the help of a dentist in order to restore decayed
teeth.
Short Term Goal: Patient will define caries and how it is formed by the
2
nd
Appointment.
Short Term Goal: Patient will describe ways in which the caries process
can be prevented by 3
rd
appointment.
Short Term Goal: Patient will choose a fluoride containing dental
product to use (other than varnish) by the 4
th
appointment. (Maybe a
fluoride containing rinse)





Clinicians Assessment
Through my research and knowledge obtain from the patients habits and lifestyle, I believe the patient
does not have a fair chance of accomplishing his goals. The patient does not have a dentist or physician
that would be able to help him reach his goal. He is an 18 year old, young man, that does not have any
physical limitations but is incapable of affording any of the procedures he needs done in order to
restore his oral situation. He does not have a job nor does he have a car in order to get to any of his
appointments.

Patient Education Outline

Session 1:

Plaque : Brushing
Define plaque.
Plaque is a soft, colorless (sometimes white), sticky substance that
builds on your teeth that contains a lot of bacteria.
Plaque=Bacteria=Cavities
Show pictures of plaque.
State details about plaque.
Plaque is easily removed.
Plaque hardens within 48 hours (Calculus) which is only removed by
visiting the dental office.
Show pictures of Calculus
Explain the effects of plaque on the gums.
If you do not brush/floss the plaque off correctly it will end in you
having gingivitis
Gingivitis is a disease that causes inflammation of your gums due
to access bacteria which could also cause your gums to bleed.
Explain: Gingivitis then can advance to periodontitis which causes
bone loss.
Gingivitis: reversible
Periodontitis: irreversible
Show my patient ways of bettering his current oral health.
Brushing: Ask patient to show me their brushing method and then modify
it if necessary
Explain that brushing helps prevent tartar build upprevents caries
and gum disease.
Explain to not put too much pressure when B/F because it could
cause injury and openings for bacteria to get into which could cause
a systemic infection.
******** ASK PATIENT TO EXPLAIN AS MUCH AS HE CAN ABOUT WHAT HE HAS LEARNED.
Session 2:
Periodontitis: Flossing
Ask patient if she remembers anything about gingivitis and periodontitis
from the first session.
Explain that Periodontal disease has two separate categories (Gingivitis and
periodontitis)
Recap Gingivitis
Gingivitis = inflammation of gums, redness, bleeding >>>>Bacteria!
Periodontitis= boneloss
Show pictures as examples.
Explain that bone loss can result in losing teeth.
Show patient his x-rays.
Explain that Periodontitis is irreversible because the bone will not grow
back and that it causes recession
Explain that he can stop the process from getting any worse by continuing
to floss and brush properly.
Explain that periodontitis calls for frequent recalls (frequent visits to the
dentist)
Session 3:
Caries : Fluoride containing mouth-rinses
Define caries.
Holes in the teeth resulting from acid produced by bacteria.
Show pictures of the caries process.
State details about caries.
Eats away at your tooth until it is entirely gone.
Prevention:
Keeping up with good oral hygiene
- Brushing and Flossing correctly and at least 2x/ day (especially
at night)
Fluoride containing dental products
Going to dentist as many times as requested by dentist
Diet
Plaque control
Remind the patient that Plaque =Bacteria=Cavities
Explain the steps in which cavities affect the teeth
Normal tooth structure>Enamel Involvement> Dentin
Involvement> Peri-apical involvement
Give Patient a small Fluoride rinse to take home and sample.
Ask patient if they have any questions.



Recall Schedule : 3 months
Referrals: Refer to Dentist for caries (decay)/abscess and to keep an eye on the
progression of periodontitis.