Dental case presentations might sound complicated, but they’re just a way for dentists to explain what’s happening with a patient’s teeth, how they plan to treat it, and what the expected results are. These presentations help everyone involved—from students to experienced professionals—learn from each other and make sure the best decisions are being made for the patient’s care. In this blog, we’ll break down what dental case presentations are, why they’re important, and how they work in a simple, easy-to-understand way.
Why Do Dentists Do Case Presentations?
- Sharing Knowledge
Dentists don’t just work alone; they share their experiences with others to help each other learn and improve. Presenting cases lets dentists talk about what went well or what could have been done better. - Getting Different Opinions
Sometimes, a dental issue is tricky, and more than one approach could work. By presenting a case, dentists can ask their colleagues for their opinions, making sure the treatment plan is the best it can be. - Teaching and Learning
For dental students or young dentists, hearing about real-life cases from experienced professionals is one of the best ways to learn. They can see how problems are solved step-by-step and understand the reasoning behind treatment decisions.
What Does a Dental Case Presentation Look Like?
Dental case presentations usually follow a simple structure to keep things clear and organized. Here’s what you can expect to hear in a typical presentation:
- Patient Introduction
The presentation starts with basic information about the patient. This usually includes things like their age, general health, and what brought them to the dentist.
Example:
“A 40-year-old man came to the clinic with pain in his lower left molar. He is generally healthy with no major medical issues.” - The Problem or Chief Complaint
Next, the dentist explains why the patient came in the first place. This is called the “chief complaint.”
Example:
“The patient complained of a sharp, throbbing pain in the lower left tooth that worsens when chewing food.” - Medical and Dental History
Before making any decisions, the dentist looks at the patient’s overall health. This part explains things like any past dental work or health conditions that might affect the treatment.
Example:
“The patient has no allergies and no serious medical conditions. He had a filling placed on the same tooth two years ago.” - Clinical Examination
The dentist checks the patient’s mouth, looking for signs of problems like cavities, infections, or gum disease. This is where they find clues about what’s causing the pain.
Example:
“Upon examining the tooth, there was visible decay, and the tooth was sensitive to touch. The gums around the tooth were swollen.” - Diagnosis
Based on all the information, the dentist will make a diagnosis, which is essentially an educated guess about what’s going on.
Example:
“The diagnosis is an infection in the tooth pulp, also known as irreversible pulpitis, caused by deep tooth decay.” - X-Rays and Imaging
Often, dentists take X-rays or other images to get a better look inside the tooth and surrounding area. This helps them confirm their diagnosis.
Example:
“The X-ray shows that the decay has reached the center of the tooth, where the nerves and blood vessels are, causing infection.” - Treatment Plan
Now comes the most important part: how to fix the problem. The dentist will explain the options, what the patient prefers, and why they recommend a certain treatment.
Example:
“To treat the infection, I recommend a root canal to remove the infected pulp and save the tooth. After that, we will place a crown to restore the tooth’s strength.” - Prognosis
This part explains how likely the treatment is to work and what might happen afterward.
Example:
“If the root canal is successful, the tooth should heal, and the pain will go away. However, there’s a small chance the infection could return.” - Wrap-Up and Discussion
Finally, the dentist talks about any challenges or interesting things they learned from the case. This section also gives room for others to offer their advice or ask questions.
Example:
“This case shows how important it is to catch cavities early before they affect the tooth pulp. I considered extracting the tooth, but the patient preferred to try to save it.”
Tips for Making a Good Dental Case Presentation
- Keep It Simple and Clear
Even though the case might be complex, try to explain it in a way that anyone can understand. Avoid using too many technical terms unless they’re necessary. - Use Visuals
Pictures, X-rays, and diagrams can help make the case clearer. They allow everyone to see exactly what the dentist is talking about. - Stay Organized
Don’t jump around in your presentation. Stick to a clear flow, starting from the patient’s story to the diagnosis and treatment options. - Be Open to Feedback
Case presentations are a great chance to get advice from others. Don’t be afraid to ask for suggestions or different opinions. - Practice!
The more you practice, the smoother your presentation will be. This will help you explain things confidently and clearly.
An example of a dental case presentation
Patient Information:
- Name: Emily Harris
- Age: 42 years old
- Gender: Female
- Medical History:
- Emily has a history of Type 2 Diabetes, diagnosed 5 years ago. Her diabetes is poorly controlled, with an HbA1c of 10.5%. She is on medication but struggles with diet and exercise.
- She also has hypertension and takes medication for it.
- Allergic to penicillin (rash).
- No previous major surgeries.
- Chief Complaint: Severe pain and swelling in the lower right jaw for the last week, along with a fever.
History:
- Present Illness:
Emily reports persistent, throbbing pain in the lower right side of her jaw, which has worsened over the past week. The pain is constant, with occasional sharp pain upon chewing. She has been unable to eat solid food due to the pain, and there has been noticeable swelling and redness around her gums. The pain is accompanied by a fever (101°F), and she feels fatigued and unwell overall. She also mentions a bad taste in her mouth, and the affected area feels tender when touched. - Dental History:
Emily hasn’t had a dental check-up in over 3 years. She had some fillings and a root canal done on tooth #30 about 7 years ago. She reports that she has not been following her diabetic management properly, and she also tends to neglect her oral hygiene. She brushes her teeth but rarely flosses and has a history of smoking.
Clinical Examination:
- Extra-oral examination:
There is notable facial swelling and redness on the lower right side of the face, extending from the jawline to the chin. The skin appears stretched and tense. Lymph nodes on the right side of the neck are tender and enlarged. No trismus (lockjaw) or difficulty swallowing was observed, but the patient is visibly uncomfortable. - Intra-oral examination:
- Tooth #31 (lower right first molar) shows extensive decay on the occlusal and mesial surfaces. There is an open, infected lesion with visible drainage of pus from the gum tissue surrounding the tooth.
- The gums around the tooth are swollen erythematous, and there is significant tenderness upon palpation. The adjacent teeth show signs of increased mobility.
- The tongue is coated with a slight yellowish tint, likely due to poor oral hygiene.
- There is a foul odor coming from the affected tooth.
Radiographic Findings:
- Panoramic X-ray reveals:
- Extensive caries involving the pulp of tooth #31.
- Significant bone loss around the root apex, consistent with a possible abscess or osteomyelitis (bone infection).
- Evidence of spreading infection from the periapical region towards the surrounding tissues and possibly approaching the submandibular space.
Diagnosis:
- Primary Diagnosis: Severe odontogenic infection, likely a periapical abscess complicated by osteomyelitis and cellulitis, potentially leading to systemic infection (sepsis).
- Differential Diagnosis:
- Chronic periodontitis with associated infection
- Advanced abscess or cellulitis
- Pericoronitis (if the infection involves an impacted third molar)
- Possible underlying systemic infection (sepsis due to diabetes)
Treatment Plan:
- Immediate Management:
- Pain Management: Prescribe stronger analgesics (e.g., ibuprofen 600mg 3 times daily), and consider a stronger narcotic if needed for pain control.
- Antibiotics: Start an emergency course of broad-spectrum antibiotics (clindamycin 300 mg every 6 hours), considering her penicillin allergy. This will target both anaerobic and aerobic bacteria.
- Drainage: Incise and drain the abscess (under local anesthesia) to relieve pressure and control the spreading infection.
- Blood Cultures and Labs: Given the systemic involvement (fever, fatigue), order blood tests for white blood cell count, CRP, and blood cultures to check for signs of sepsis or bacteremia.
- Definitive Treatment:
- Root Canal Therapy (RCT): Initiate RCT for tooth #31, aiming to remove infected tissue and attempt to save the tooth, especially considering the severity of the infection.
- If RCT is not possible due to extensive infection, extraction may be necessary.
- Surgical Intervention: If the infection continues to spread or if the abscess does not drain properly, consider referral to an oral surgeon for further debridement or to address any potential deeper tissue involvement.
- Systemic Support: Considering her diabetes, hospitalization may be required to control her blood sugar levels and monitor for signs of sepsis.
- Long-Term Management:
- Follow-up Appointments: Schedule regular follow-ups to monitor the healing process and response to antibiotics.
- Diabetes Management: I strongly advise Emily to seek better control of her diabetes, which is a significant risk factor for infection, delayed healing, and complications.
- Oral Hygiene Instruction: Teach proper brushing and flossing techniques and stress the importance of regular dental visits, particularly for patients with diabetes.
Prognosis:
- Short-term Prognosis: The outcome is contingent on prompt treatment of the infection. If the infection spreads beyond the tooth, there is a risk of sepsis, which can be fatal if left untreated. Hospitalization may be necessary to monitor for signs of systemic infection.
- Long-term Prognosis: If the infection is successfully controlled, the tooth is either saved or extracted, and the underlying conditions (diabetes) are better managed, Emily should recover. However, given her poor diabetic control, she is at a higher risk for recurrent infections, and more aggressive oral health management will be necessary in the future.
This case highlights a potentially life-threatening condition. Emily’s uncontrolled diabetes increases her risk of complications and poor healing. The immediate priority is to control the infection and prevent systemic spread. Further management focuses on restoring her oral health while addressing her diabetes and hygiene practices.
Conclusion
Dental case presentations are an essential part of the dental profession. They help dentists share knowledge, learn from each other, and find the best treatment plans for patients. By following a simple structure and focusing on clarity, even complicated cases can be understood by everyone in the room. Whether you’re a student, a new dentist, or someone learning about dentistry, understanding how these presentations work can be incredibly valuable for improving patient care and growing in the field.
If you’re ever in a dentist’s office and hear a case presentation, now you’ll know exactly what’s going on!