Charting Convention
Definition
The set of symbols, abbreviations, and layout rules a dental practice uses to record findings. Conventions vary between countries, training systems, and individual practitioners, making translation essential.
- Records
- Symbols, abbreviations, tooth-numbering system used
- Varies by
- Country, dental school, individual practitioner habit
- Forensic role
- Antemortem-postmortem dental comparison
- Requires
- Translation between systems before comparison
Common questions
Why does charting convention matter in antemortem record comparison?+
A comparison odontologist must first translate the treating dentist's symbols and tooth numbers into a common system before any restoration or extraction can be matched to postmortem findings. Misreading a convention can produce a false exclusion or a false match.
Which tooth-numbering systems commonly need translation?+
The FDI two-digit system, the Universal 1-32 system used in the US, and the Palmer notation quadrant system are the three most often encountered, and a practice may mix hand-drawn symbols with any of them.
Related terms
- Coroner's Warrant
- A legal instrument issued by a coroner or medical examiner authorising the retrieval of records relevant to a death investigation, including dental...
- Dental Chart
- A systematic tooth-by-tooth record of the clinical state of a dentition, including restorations, missing teeth, prosthetics, pathology, and morphological features. Both ante-mortem...
- Full-Mouth Radiographic Series
- A complete set of periapical and bitewing radiographs covering all teeth, typically 18 to 20 images. The most forensically useful AM record...
- Prosthetic Laboratory Prescription
- The written order from a dentist to a dental laboratory specifying the design, materials, and dimensions of a crown, bridge, or denture....
- Record Translation
- The process of converting AM records made in one charting system (e.g., Palmer notation) into the notation system used by the PM...