"Diagnosis is not the end, but the beginning of practice".—Martin H. Fischer

Pediatric dentistry is a continuous evolving field like any other fields of dentistry. Children are not miniature adults, and their growth and developmental considerations demand special attention in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of diseases. Taking a history from a patient is a skill necessary for examinations and afterwards as a practicing doctor, no matter which area you specialize in. It tests both your communication skills as well as your knowledge about what to ask. Specific questions vary depending on what type of history you are taking but if you follow the general framework below you should gain good marks in these stations. This is also a good way to present your history.

A good history is one which reveals the patient's ideas, concerns and expectations as well as any accompanying diagnosis. The doctor's agenda, incorporating lists of detailed questions, should not dominate the history taking. Listening is at the heart of good history taking. Without the patient's perspective, the history is likely to be much less revealing and less useful to the doctor who is attempting to help the patient.

In practice you may sometimes need to gather a collateral history from a relative, friend or carer. This may be with a child or an adult with impaired mental state.

The use of jargon has become very common in the healthcare field, especially in Medical/Dental records. Although the use of standard Medical Jargon can be seen as professional, efficient shorthand, a lack of awareness regarding the standard medical abbreviations and incessant and overzealous use of slang among the healthcare professionals can act as a barrier to effective communication and understanding among patients and peers.

The use of a pre-printed Dental/Medical history questionnaire can serve a valuable role in taking and documenting history and clinical examination of a patient, and formulation of a treatment plan. This manual is an effort in that direction.

This book, written in concise and clear language, written on how to successfully record a case history including indices and planning of treatment by dental students and is intended to fill that lacuna.