title: Physical evaluation and the prevention of medical emergencies: vital signs.
abstract: It was assumed that dentists employ a complete system of physical evaluation for all new patients in their dental practices. Results of a survey of 1,588 dentists demonstrated that the use of a written medical history questionnaire was commonplace; however, recording of blood pressure and heart rate and rhythm on all new patients was quite limited. A greater percentage of dentists monitored blood pressure when there was a history of cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure. Monitoring of the heart rate and rhythm, even in patients with cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure, was severely limited in scope. A significant number of dentists still employ racemic epinephrine impregnated gingival retraction cord, and of these, 40% had observed "epinephrine-reactions."
authors.affiliation: Section of Anesthesia and Medicine, University of Southern California School of Dentistry, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Malamed
mesh_terms: D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003729:Dental Care / Q000379:methods*; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004630:Emergencies; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D064705:Racepinephrine; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D064705:Racepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine