Periodontal Charting
The periodontal chart provides a snapshot of your patient’s periodontal condition which can be a valuable diagnostic tool to accompany the patient’s radiographs.
To begin, access the patient’s chart from the scheduling book. The dental chart will appear. First, modify the dental chart to represent any missing teeth by highlighting the tooth and then selecting missing under conditions. This information will transfer to your periodontal chart.
Then, on the toolbar above the dental graphics, locate the perio icon. Click on the icon and a new text box will appear. This will be your periodontal data entry box. An “M” indicates that the teeth you identified as missing do not exist and now the program will not allow you to type numbers into these boxes.
The periodontal data entry screen has a panel to the right where you will enter probing depths indicated with the PD abbreviation, gingival margin which is indicated with the GM abbreviation, MGJ, Bleeding and Suppuration. The CAL is automatically calculated as you advance through the program. Notice at the bottom of your screen are two buttons: the patient chart and the Dentrix perio chart. You can toggle back and forth by selecting these buttons if you need to view the restorative chart at any point during the data entry.
Within the periodontal data entry panel, the tooth which you are currently diagnosing is highlighted and the surface is indicated in the tooth information box. The system will automatically advance from left to right highlighting the teeth in numerical order. You can override the system’s sequence by highlighting the tooth and/or surface that you wish to record. Once you manually override the system, you will need to continue to select each tooth you wish to record because the system will not automatically advance while recording on this chart. Note that the system is not permanently overridden just during this particular session.
Within the data entry box, you may select a summary report to consolidate your information. This is a valuable synopsis which will help you locate areas of concern that may require special attention during patient treatment.
Finally you may choose the graphic chart option from the toolbar. This will provide a visual comparison of areas of concern. The graphic chart is often used in case presentations as a tool for representing problem areas.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Caries/Restorative Charting
Caries / Restorative Charting
Within Dentrix you can document your patient’s existing restorations or conditions, restorative work that will need to be treated and treatment that has been recommended and completed. This system provides an accurate history of the patient’s dental care and existing dental problems. It also provides a quick reference for a treatment plan.
To begin, access the patient’s chart from the scheduling book. The dental chart will appear. There are a few views available from which you can choose. You can modify your view but clicking on the toolbar at the top of your screen. Click view and a drop down list will appear. Choose Panels – then you can select to adjust your screen to show only procedure codes or procedure buttons.
You may also choose to view both view options in one screen. Choose the chart layout option from the view icon and select work chart. From the Procedure codes view, you can select a specific category to locate the condition or restoration that you choose to note in the chart. First highlight the teeth that you choose to identify as having an existing condition. Then select the appropriate navigation button – such as, conditions– and a drop down panel provides choices of existing conditions.
Other common procedures that you may chart are restorations. From the procedures codes panel highlight the specific tooth, then select restorative from the drop down panel and choose the desired restorative material. Click this navigation button and another text box will appear offering the choice of tooth surfaces that are involved. Select the appropriate surfaces and then click ok.
Continue throughout the mouth selecting the appropriate teeth and procedures. Post the treatment recommended or existing condition and then click complete.
There are four icons located in the toolbar which indicate the status of restorations or conditions. Existing Other : is for work completed by another provider or practice; Existing: is for work done by the current provider, but is just now being entered into the Patient Chart; Treatment Plan: is for treatment planned procedures; Completed: is for completed procedures. Choose the correct status of an entry and select completed. You will also see that all procedures charted on the graphic chart are also noted in the patient’s progress notes.
Within Dentrix you can document your patient’s existing restorations or conditions, restorative work that will need to be treated and treatment that has been recommended and completed. This system provides an accurate history of the patient’s dental care and existing dental problems. It also provides a quick reference for a treatment plan.
To begin, access the patient’s chart from the scheduling book. The dental chart will appear. There are a few views available from which you can choose. You can modify your view but clicking on the toolbar at the top of your screen. Click view and a drop down list will appear. Choose Panels – then you can select to adjust your screen to show only procedure codes or procedure buttons.
You may also choose to view both view options in one screen. Choose the chart layout option from the view icon and select work chart. From the Procedure codes view, you can select a specific category to locate the condition or restoration that you choose to note in the chart. First highlight the teeth that you choose to identify as having an existing condition. Then select the appropriate navigation button – such as, conditions– and a drop down panel provides choices of existing conditions.
Other common procedures that you may chart are restorations. From the procedures codes panel highlight the specific tooth, then select restorative from the drop down panel and choose the desired restorative material. Click this navigation button and another text box will appear offering the choice of tooth surfaces that are involved. Select the appropriate surfaces and then click ok.
Continue throughout the mouth selecting the appropriate teeth and procedures. Post the treatment recommended or existing condition and then click complete.
There are four icons located in the toolbar which indicate the status of restorations or conditions. Existing Other : is for work completed by another provider or practice; Existing: is for work done by the current provider, but is just now being entered into the Patient Chart; Treatment Plan: is for treatment planned procedures; Completed: is for completed procedures. Choose the correct status of an entry and select completed. You will also see that all procedures charted on the graphic chart are also noted in the patient’s progress notes.
Clinical Notes and Templates
Clinical Notes and Templates
Your clinical notes are very important in order to establish what procedures have been completed, what procedures you may recommend for the future or documenting modifications in treatment for a specific patient.
Once you have created a patient chart, you can begin to log in entries to the patient’s record. Once you have opened the patient chart, notice at the bottom of the page is the icon labeled clinical notes. Click on this icon and white space will appear where you can begin entering information. Click on the first icon to the left to enter the date, then you can enter personalized notes.
Another option is to enter a preset entry from the template selection. The collapsible panels to the right offer preset entries that you can use to log in data. Click on the appropriate category. Double click on the entry that applies to your situation. This will post an entry to the patient’s clinical notes. This preset entry can also be modified to suit your individual needs.
In addition to using preset templates for entries, you can also create your own template. Supposed you have a set format for creating your own personal notes, then you can create a template tailored to your needs.
First click on the far right icon – which is the template set up icon. Highlight the category under which you want to create a new template. Then select New Template. A new text box will appear. Name your template in the upper right corner of the text box. Then in the Clinical Notes Text area; begin entering your data. Once you have entered all your data. Click ok.
Your new template will be added to the collapsible panel list. Double click on your template title and your new entry will be inserted into the clinical notes area. You can add to or modified this entry to your preference.
Your clinical notes are very important in order to establish what procedures have been completed, what procedures you may recommend for the future or documenting modifications in treatment for a specific patient.
Once you have created a patient chart, you can begin to log in entries to the patient’s record. Once you have opened the patient chart, notice at the bottom of the page is the icon labeled clinical notes. Click on this icon and white space will appear where you can begin entering information. Click on the first icon to the left to enter the date, then you can enter personalized notes.
Another option is to enter a preset entry from the template selection. The collapsible panels to the right offer preset entries that you can use to log in data. Click on the appropriate category. Double click on the entry that applies to your situation. This will post an entry to the patient’s clinical notes. This preset entry can also be modified to suit your individual needs.
In addition to using preset templates for entries, you can also create your own template. Supposed you have a set format for creating your own personal notes, then you can create a template tailored to your needs.
First click on the far right icon – which is the template set up icon. Highlight the category under which you want to create a new template. Then select New Template. A new text box will appear. Name your template in the upper right corner of the text box. Then in the Clinical Notes Text area; begin entering your data. Once you have entered all your data. Click ok.
Your new template will be added to the collapsible panel list. Double click on your template title and your new entry will be inserted into the clinical notes area. You can add to or modified this entry to your preference.
Electronic Scheduling
Scheduling appointments in Dentrix.
Once a patient file is created you can schedule the patient for an appointment. The Appointment Book icon is located on your desktop. Click on the Appointment Book icon to open the scheduling book.
The appointment book can be configured to multiple columns. Each column typically is designated for a particular provider. The interval time slots can also be tailored to your needs, however, most offices schedule appointments in 10 minute intervals.
To schedule your patient, double click on the time and in the column where you want to start your appointment. A text box will appear - you can search for your patient by typing the first few letters of the patient’s last name. A drop down list of names will appear in the text box in alphabetical order starting with the letters that you entered. Select the patient you wish to schedule and click OK.
A new text box will appear with your patient’s name listed at the top of the box. Select miscellaneous and then the category of procedures that you would like to schedule. For dental hygiene procedures, select preventive. Another list will appear with specific procedures that you can schedule in the hygiene time slot. Each procedure has an accompanying dental insurance code which will automatically be entered into the patient’s ledger once you post that the procedure has been completed.
You can enter several procedures into one time slot. Once all the procedures have been selected click on OK and then Appointment Length. You can adjust the time length by clicking on the arrows to increase or decrease the time frame of the appointment. Click yes to assign a provider to the selected time slot and the appointment will be posted to the scheduling book.
To reappoint your patient, drag your patient to the right clipboard; select the calendar icon in the upper left corner of the appointment book. A calendar will appear in the center of your screen, select the month and day you would like for scheduling. Then click and drag your patient from the right clipboard to the time slot and column that you desire. Now you have successfully scheduled your patient.
Once a patient file is created you can schedule the patient for an appointment. The Appointment Book icon is located on your desktop. Click on the Appointment Book icon to open the scheduling book.
The appointment book can be configured to multiple columns. Each column typically is designated for a particular provider. The interval time slots can also be tailored to your needs, however, most offices schedule appointments in 10 minute intervals.
To schedule your patient, double click on the time and in the column where you want to start your appointment. A text box will appear - you can search for your patient by typing the first few letters of the patient’s last name. A drop down list of names will appear in the text box in alphabetical order starting with the letters that you entered. Select the patient you wish to schedule and click OK.
A new text box will appear with your patient’s name listed at the top of the box. Select miscellaneous and then the category of procedures that you would like to schedule. For dental hygiene procedures, select preventive. Another list will appear with specific procedures that you can schedule in the hygiene time slot. Each procedure has an accompanying dental insurance code which will automatically be entered into the patient’s ledger once you post that the procedure has been completed.
You can enter several procedures into one time slot. Once all the procedures have been selected click on OK and then Appointment Length. You can adjust the time length by clicking on the arrows to increase or decrease the time frame of the appointment. Click yes to assign a provider to the selected time slot and the appointment will be posted to the scheduling book.
To reappoint your patient, drag your patient to the right clipboard; select the calendar icon in the upper left corner of the appointment book. A calendar will appear in the center of your screen, select the month and day you would like for scheduling. Then click and drag your patient from the right clipboard to the time slot and column that you desire. Now you have successfully scheduled your patient.
Creating a New Patient File
Creating a Family File
This is the first step in managing a patient’s record. You must create a patient file before attempting to schedule a patient or enter information into a patient’s chart.
Click on the Family file icon to begin creating the patient’s record.
This file appears in a ledger format and contains the general information about your patient.
Move your cursor over the new family icon which is the seventh icon from the right. As you move your cursor over the icon you will see the indicator prompt that will read: select patient/ new family. Double click on the icon.
In the drop down box that will appear, you can search for an existing patient by last name, first name or other personal data by selecting your search preference. To create a new family file: click on the icon within the down drop box that is listed as New Family.
Enter the patient’s personal data. You can create a Head-of-Household file or add a family member. The Head-of-Household would typically be a mother or father who is the primary insurance subscriber or the person responsible for billing purposes. Additional people can be added to this primary account as family members.
Each patient is required to have an assigned provider. This assists the office in scheduling and calculating accounting information. Click on the arrows for each provider and a drop down box will appear. Select the appropriate primary and secondary provider.
Once all data is entered a chart number will be assigned and this will be a reference which will appear on the patient’s billing statement. For scheduling purposes, any medical conditions should be entered into the patient file. Modifications in scheduling or treatment may be contingent on some medical conditions.
Located on the patient ledger is a medical alerts prompt. Click on the cross to access the drop down list of medical conditions. Select the medical conditions which the patient has identified on their medical history and click OK.
Once the individual conditions have been selected a text box with the specific conditions will appear. Notice that once the conditions have been entered, the cross in the medical alert section appears red – indicating a medical condition exists for this patient. Click to close the box when you have completed the medical data entry. This medical box alert will appear when you select the patient name on your schedule to alert you to existing conditions that your patient may have.
Now you have completed the creation of a patient file. You can begin the process again to enter additional family members by clicking on File and selecting “add a new family member”. Additional family members will appear under the Head-of-Household file.
This is the first step in managing a patient’s record. You must create a patient file before attempting to schedule a patient or enter information into a patient’s chart.
Click on the Family file icon to begin creating the patient’s record.
This file appears in a ledger format and contains the general information about your patient.
Move your cursor over the new family icon which is the seventh icon from the right. As you move your cursor over the icon you will see the indicator prompt that will read: select patient/ new family. Double click on the icon.
In the drop down box that will appear, you can search for an existing patient by last name, first name or other personal data by selecting your search preference. To create a new family file: click on the icon within the down drop box that is listed as New Family.
Enter the patient’s personal data. You can create a Head-of-Household file or add a family member. The Head-of-Household would typically be a mother or father who is the primary insurance subscriber or the person responsible for billing purposes. Additional people can be added to this primary account as family members.
Each patient is required to have an assigned provider. This assists the office in scheduling and calculating accounting information. Click on the arrows for each provider and a drop down box will appear. Select the appropriate primary and secondary provider.
Once all data is entered a chart number will be assigned and this will be a reference which will appear on the patient’s billing statement. For scheduling purposes, any medical conditions should be entered into the patient file. Modifications in scheduling or treatment may be contingent on some medical conditions.
Located on the patient ledger is a medical alerts prompt. Click on the cross to access the drop down list of medical conditions. Select the medical conditions which the patient has identified on their medical history and click OK.
Once the individual conditions have been selected a text box with the specific conditions will appear. Notice that once the conditions have been entered, the cross in the medical alert section appears red – indicating a medical condition exists for this patient. Click to close the box when you have completed the medical data entry. This medical box alert will appear when you select the patient name on your schedule to alert you to existing conditions that your patient may have.
Now you have completed the creation of a patient file. You can begin the process again to enter additional family members by clicking on File and selecting “add a new family member”. Additional family members will appear under the Head-of-Household file.
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