When a patient reports a dental issue to you but is not a patient of record, what is the appropriate action?

When a patient reports a dental issue but is not a patient of record, advising them to contact their own dentist is the most appropriate course of action. This aligns with professional ethics and best practices in dentistry, emphasizing the importance of continuity of care and the established professional relationship between a patient and their dentist.

Each dentist has a responsibility to provide care within the context of their established patient relationships. Since the individual is not a patient of record, the dentist is not privy to their full medical history, previous treatments, or specific circumstances that could affect treatment recommendations. By referring the patient back to their own dentist, you ensure they receive informed and tailored care from someone familiar with their dental history.

Providing treatment advice over the phone or scheduling an appointment without knowing the patient's complete dental background could lead to misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment. Requesting an examination is also unnecessary since there is no established patient relationship. Thus, guiding the patient back to their own dentist is the ethical and safest approach.