WORD OF THE WEEK – Dentin
WORD OF THE WEEK
Part of being a scribe is to recognize and properly document various medical terminology. For a scribe to best accomplish this task one must not only be familiar with the medical vocabulary but one must also know how to SPELL it. Therefore the main purpose of the word of the week is to provide exposure to the medical term’s (1) clinical context and (2) proper spelling.
Case: 45-year-old female status post ground level fall. She tripped and hit her head against the street curb. No loss of consciousness. Now complaining, “My teeth hurt.”
Exam: “Maxillary incisors with partial fractures. Left incisor with exposed dentin and pulp – Ellis class III. Right incisor with exposed dentin – Ellis class II. Lateral incisor are intact.”
What is dentin and pulp?
Check out the new “Anatomy and Physical Exam” section for more information.
Dispo: Calcium hydroxide paste placed over exposed pulp and dentin. Patient discharged with antibiotics and instructions to maintain liquid diet and to follow up with her dentist in 12-24 hours.
Reference:
http://academiclifeinem.blogspot.com/2011/04/paucis-verbis-dental-trauma.html
McKay MP, Mayersak RJ. Facial trauma in adults. UPTODATE.2013
This makes my teeth hurt.
Pulp: the living portion of tissue made up of odontoblasts.
dentin: calcified tissue making up the majority of the tooth. the 2nd layer of the tooth covered by enamel.
Wow Andrea you described this perfectly!
Great job!