What should you do if there is a discrepancy in a patient's dental records?

When there is a discrepancy in a patient's dental records, documenting and clarifying the discrepancy is the most appropriate action. Ensuring accurate and comprehensive records is critical for ongoing patient care, treatment planning, and legal purposes. By documenting the discrepancy, you create a clear record of the issue, which is essential for future reference. This step also allows for clarification regarding any uncertainties or errors, facilitating better communication and understanding between dental professionals involved in the patient's care and the patient themselves.

Clarity in documentation helps in maintaining the integrity of the patient’s health information and ensures that everyone involved is aware of the issue and how it has been addressed. This not only safeguards the quality of care provided to the patient but also protects against potential legal implications that could arise from inadequate record-keeping.

Notifying the patient or consulting with another dentist can be steps that may follow, but those actions should occur after you have documented the discrepancies to provide a foundation for any discussions or consultations. Ignoring such discrepancies would compromise the care and trust between the patient and the dental practice, which is not acceptable in a professional healthcare setting.