The Importance of Medical History Update Forms

Oh, the dreaded, very important, Medical History Update form!

Medical History updates are critical to patient care. We know this is not a favorite task to do, so let’s discuss the importance of patients updating their medical history.  A lot can change in 12 months, and sometimes we don’t realize what has changed until we are asked to write it down. Vital information such as new medications, new medical diagnoses, pre-existing medical conditions, a change of name, address or phone number, change of primary care physician, and new emergency contacts, are all important to add to your medical history update.

Joint replacements can require medical clearance and an antibiotic before dental treatment. Certain medications, including prescription and over the counter medications can affect oral health. For example, if you take a blood thinner, it is important to let your dentist know as blood thinners can cause abnormal bleeding and reduce blood clotting. Medications such as painkillers, antihistamines, and blood pressure medication can cause dry mouth. A decrease of saliva in the mouth can cause the tissues to become irritated, increasing the chance of tooth decay and infection. Reporting a new medication or change in a medication is important to tell your dentist.

If you have a change in address or phone number, please update those on your form. We need a correct address to mail requested records to, and a correct phone number to reach you.

We like to make this easier for our patients by emailing a blank fillable PDF form that the patient can fill out and send back to us. Thank you again, for filling out your medical history forms!