Evaluation of health history forms used in U.S. dental schools

Ideally the health history form should ensure safe care to the patient, support the dentist legally, and ensure a satisfactory treatment outcome. Health history forms from 47 dental schools were evaluated in light of curriculum guidelines for physical evaluation and for their helpfulness to the dentist to provide safe care, to support the dentist legally, and to provide satisfactory treatment outcomes for the patient. In spite of curriculum guidelines in physical evaluation, significant differences were found among the health histories used by dental schools. Recommendations are made to improve the content and format of the health history forms used in dental schools with a corresponding impact on the private dental practitioner.