Studies show that, 24 hours after receiving verbal instructions, patients recall less than half of what they heard. Unclear instructions following treatment and post-operative complications are two common sources of patient confusion and dissatisfaction. Some patients experience post-operative sequelae that the dentist may consider routine but that cause the patient anxiety and lead to unnecessary follow-up visits. Other patients fail to follow post-operative instructions or to report significant post-operative symptoms, thus creating problems that could have been prevented. Following are tips for developing follow-up instructions:

• Begin instructions with an explanation of the procedure.
• Include the normal responses to the treatment such as swelling, jaw muscle soreness, or blood on the pillow during the first post-operative night.
• Describe what the patient needs to do after the procedure, and what to avoid.
• Include a list of possible outcomes (e.g., fever, prolonged bleeding) that warrant calling the clinic immediately.
• Provide an after-hours telephone number.
• Write using easy-to-understand, non-technical terms, preferably in a language the patient understands.

Pamphlets on topics such as oral surgery; extractions; scaling and root planning; amalgam and composite restorations; endodontics; biopsy; care of dentures, partials, and crowns and bridges; and sedation are available from the American Dental Association as well as other sources.

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