What is the purpose of a medical history questionnaire before dental treatment?

The purpose of a medical history questionnaire before dental treatment is primarily to identify potential risk factors for infections. This information is vital as it allows dental professionals to assess the patient's overall health status and detect any existing medical conditions or medications that could influence their dental care.

Recognizing these risk factors helps dental practitioners implement appropriate infection control measures, modify treatment plans, and safeguard both the patient and the dental team from possible infectious diseases. For example, patients with compromised immune systems or specific chronic diseases may require special precautions to minimize infection risk during procedures.

While enhancing the patient experience, gaining marketing insights, and determining treatment fees are important aspects of running a dental practice, they are secondary to the critical function of ensuring patient safety through identifying and managing infection risk factors effectively. Hence, the focus of a medical history questionnaire should always prioritize health considerations that impact infection control in the dental setting.