Emergency dental pain note template
An urgent slot still needs a history. SOCRATES keeps the pain history in an order you can read back later.
Template
Presenting complaint Site Onset Character Radiation Associations Time course Exacerbating and relieving factors Severity Medical history Examination Tests Radiograph Diagnosis Options discussed Treatment today Safety net Next visit
A filled-in example
Presenting complaint
Pain from the lower right, keeping the patient awake.
Site
LR6
Onset
Three days ago, worse last night.
Character
Throbbing
Radiation
To the ear
Associations
None
Time course
Constant since yesterday
Exacerbating and relieving factors
Worse with hot drinks. Painkillers take the edge off.
Severity
8/10 overnight
Medical history
No change. No allergies.
Examination
LR6 tender to percussion. Large occlusal restoration. No swelling. No sinus.
Tests
Cold test: lingering pain. Adjacent teeth respond and settle.
Radiograph
Periapical. Widened periodontal ligament at the mesial root.
Diagnosis
Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis, LR6. Apical periodontitis starting.
Options discussed
1. Root canal. 2. Extract. 3. Pain relief only, with the risk of worsening infection.
Patient wants to keep the tooth and booked root canal.
Treatment today
No extirpation today. Ibuprofen advice, within the dose already on the medical history. Antibiotics not prescribed. No swelling and no systemic signs.
Safety net
Call if swelling, difficulty swallowing, or fever.
Next visit
Root canal, this week.
Let Dentascribe fill this in from your appointment audio.
