The Journal of the American Dental Association
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The authors conducted a study to investigate the feasibility of having patients enter their health histories, or HHs, directly into a computer so the HHs then can be transferred into computer-based patient records. The authors examined a patient-completed, pen-based computerized HH questionnaire to determine if it is acceptable to patients, if patients answer sensitive questions on the HH questionnaire more forthrightly using a computer than a pen and paper, and if the availability of explanations and examples provided for each question on the computer questionnaire results in more accurate responses than on the paper version. ⋯ Practices can expand the use of computers into more areas of patient care by having patients complete a computerized HH questionnaire. Computerized data capture is more legible, complete and efficient than a paper HH and can be imported directly into clinical data systems, thus avoiding data entry.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effect of beta-adrenoreceptor blockade with nadolol on the duration of local anesthesia.
beta-adrenoreceptor blockers, or beta-blockers, are drugs commonly prescribed for hypertension, angina and migraine headaches. In a patient taking beta-blocker medication, administration of a local anesthetic containing a vasoconstrictor could result in an adverse interaction. ⋯ Use of local anesthetic containing a vasoconstrictor should be avoided in patients taking beta-blocker medication because of a possible adverse drug interaction. However, when a vasoconstrictor is indicated for hemostasis, the local anesthetic should be administered slowly and in small amounts as pulse rate and blood pressure are being monitored. The patient should be informed that the duration of anesthesia might be prolonged.
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Substantial cost is associated with the treatment of chronic temporomandibular disorders, or TMDs, and patients with TMDs often experience significant psychosocial distress. Early intervention based on identified risk factors has potential financial and functional benefits. ⋯ This model provides clinicians with the opportunity to identify at-risk patients early and initiate adjunctive or alternative treatments, thus reducing the likelihood of the development of TMD chronicity.