Patient Profile:

This very pleasant 65-year old African-American female is your next patient. She has a history of periodontal disease and was last seen 2 years ago, She is 5’3” tall and weighs 130 lbs. She was a grade school teacher and just retired a few months ago. She has 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren. She tells you that she used to love to knit as a hobby, however her arthritis has been so painful lately that she is no longer able to do much with her hands. She does say that reading now has become her main hobby as well as spending time with her grandchildren.

Chief Complaint: 

“I need my gums treated and my teeth cleaned.”

Medical History:

 The patient tells you that she had a blood transfusion 42 years ago following a miscarriage. She reports having surgery on each wrist due to carpal tunnel syndrome and subsequently experiences arthritic pain in her hands. She suffers from diverticulitis, GERD and stomach ulcers. Her medications include: (Nizatidine) Axid®, (Acetaminophen) Tylenol®, (Ceterizine) Zyrtec®, (Naprosyn) Naproxen®, (Rosuvastatin calcium) Crestor®, (Metformin hydrochloride) Glucophage® and takes OTC antihistamines as needed. She reports an occasional reaction to Penicillin but has never been told that she is actually allergic to it. She reports her stomach pain to be intense at times and she often feels tired. She has not consulted a physician for a while. She checks her blood glucose daily. Her readings typically are in the 6.5-6.8% range. Vital Signs: Blood Pressure: 125/82; Pulse: 70 bpm; Respirations: 15 Breaths/Min.

Daily medications:

 Her last dental visit was two years ago. At that time, she had a tooth extracted she claims from periodontal disease, and she also had her teeth cleaned. She indicates that she has had several teeth extracted due to bone loss. As you look at her chart, you notice that she has several furcation involvements and multiple teeth missing.