Instruction
Homebound or bedridden 2
Profile: Mr. Edward Carnes, age 55, has been involved in an outpatient hospice program and receives all medical services in his home.
Chief Complaint: Elena, his wife, contacts the office to have the dental hygienist come to the house and check her husband’s teeth.
Social History: Mr. Carnes has not worked for the last year due to his illness. His wife works full-time and he has a group of friends that visit him once per week.
Health History: Mr. Carnes is dying of esophageal cancer and only has 6 months to live. He has a permanent intravenous line for his chemotherapy. He is on a liquid diet.
Dental History: Mr. Carnes oral tissues are red, sloughing and dry. His tongue is denuded and fissured. He has generalized rampant decay with heavy supragingival plaque.
Oral Health Behavior Assessment: Mr. Carnes has been unable to keep his teeth clean due to the pain of his tissues.
Supplemental Notes: His wife is concerned about his weight and has been told by the physician that this may cause his death before the cancer does. She wants to know if there is anything the dental hygienist can do to reduce the pain in his mouth so that he can be able to eat.