Dentistry: Step-by-Step Guide on How to Write SOAP Notes

Updated January 2026

SOAP notes are essential for effective patient care and documentation in dental practice. This guide provides detailed instructions for each section of a SOAP note, helping you understand the structure and content required for thorough documentation in the dental context. By mastering SOAP notes, you can enhance patient care, ensure effective communication among healthcare providers, and maintain accurate medical records.

For specific examples, see our list of 10 Common Dental SOAP Note Examples.

Subjective Section (S)

In a dental SOAP note, the Subjective section (S) captures the patient’s self-reported information about their dental condition and symptoms. This section provides context for the dentist to understand the patient’s perspective and experiences. Here are the specific things that should go into the Subjective section of a dental SOAP note:

Subjective Section (S) Components

1. Chief Complaint:

   • The primary reason the patient is seeking dental care.
   • Example: "I have been experiencing severe pain in my lower right molar for the past three days."

2. History of Present Illness:

   • Details about the onset, duration, and progression of the current dental condition.
   • Example: "The pain started suddenly three days ago and has been getting progressively worse. It is worse at night and with cold drinks."

3. Past Dental History:

   • Relevant past dental conditions, treatments, or surgeries.
   • Example: "History of root canal treatment on the same tooth two years ago."

4. Medications:

   • Current medications the patient is taking, including dosage and frequency.
   • Any recent changes in medication.
   • Example: "Currently taking ibuprofen 400mg every 6 hours for pain."

5. Allergies:

   • Document any known allergies, including drug and material allergies.
   • Example: "Allergic to penicillin."

6. Social History:

   • Information about the patient’s lifestyle, such as smoking, alcohol use, and oral hygiene practices.
   • Example: "Non-smoker, occasional alcohol use, brushes twice a day and flosses regularly."

7. Patient Goals:

   • The patient’s goals and expectations from dental care.
   • Example: "The patient wants to relieve the pain and save the tooth if possible."

Tips:

• Use the patient’s own words when possible.
• Be thorough in gathering information to provide a complete picture of the patient’s condition.
• Ask open-ended questions to encourage detailed responses.

Example of a Subjective Section for Dentistry

Objective Section (O)

In a dental SOAP note, the Objective section (O) captures measurable, observable, and factual data obtained during the patient’s examination. This section provides concrete evidence of the patient’s condition and progress. Here are the specific things that should go into the Objective section of a dental SOAP note:

Objective Section (O) Components

1. Vital Signs:

   • Record the patient’s vital signs if relevant to the dental visit.
   • Example: "BP 120/80, HR 72, Temp 98.6°F"

2. Oral Examination Findings:

   • Document the results of the oral examination, including inspection and palpation findings.
   • Example: "Inspection reveals a large cavity in the lower right first molar. Palpation elicits tenderness in the surrounding gingiva."

3. Diagnostic Tests:

   • Include results of any diagnostic tests performed, such as X-rays or pulp vitality tests.
   • Example: "Periapical X-ray shows a periapical abscess in the lower right first molar."

4. Periodontal Evaluation:

   • Assess and record the condition of the patient’s gums and periodontal status.
   • Example: "Gums appear inflamed with a periodontal pocket depth of 5mm in the affected area."

5. Other Observations:

   • Any additional observations that are pertinent to the patient’s condition.
   • Example: "No signs of swelling or lymphadenopathy."

Tips:

• Be precise and factual in your documentation.
• Include only measurable and observable data.
• Use standardized scales and measurements where applicable.

Example of an Objective Section for Dentistry

Assessment Section (A)

In a dental SOAP note, the Assessment section (A) synthesizes the information gathered in the Subjective and Objective sections to provide a clinical judgment about the patient’s condition. This section includes the dentist’s professional interpretation, diagnosis, and the patient’s progress and response to treatment. Here are the specific things that should go into the Assessment section of a dental SOAP note:

Assessment Section (A) Components

1. Diagnosis:

   • Provide a clinical diagnosis based on the subjective and objective findings.
   • Example: "Acute apical periodontitis with a periapical abscess in the lower right first molar."

2. Clinical Impression:

   • Include your clinical interpretation of the patient’s condition.
   • Example: "The patient’s symptoms and examination findings are consistent with acute apical periodontitis."

3. Patient Progress:

   • Comment on the patient’s progress since the last visit, if applicable.
   • Example: "This is the patient’s first visit for this condition."

4. Prognosis:

   • Provide an outlook on the patient’s recovery based on their condition and response to treatment.
   • Example: "Good prognosis with appropriate endodontic treatment and follow-up."

5. Goals:

   • Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for the patient’s treatment.
   • Example: "Short-term goal: Relieve pain and infection within one week. Long-term goal: Preserve the tooth and restore function."

Tips:

• Be clear and concise in your clinical judgment.
• Use evidence-based reasoning to support your diagnosis and clinical impression.
• Set realistic and measurable goals for the patient.

Example of an Assessment Section for Dentistry

Plan Section (P)

Plan Section (P) Components

1. Treatment Plan:

   • Specific interventions that will be implemented to address the patient’s condition.
   • Example: "Recommend root canal treatment for the lower right first molar."

2. Medications:

   • Detailed description of any medications prescribed, including dosage, frequency, and duration.
   • Example: "Prescribe amoxicillin 500mg, take one capsule every 8 hours for 7 days."

3. Patient Education:

   • Information and instructions provided to the patient to help them manage their condition and prevent further complications.
   • Example: "Educate the patient on the importance of completing the antibiotic course and maintaining good oral hygiene."

4. Follow-Up:

   • The plan for subsequent visits, including the frequency and duration of follow-up appointments.
   • Example: "Schedule follow-up appointment in one week to evaluate the response to treatment and proceed with the root canal."

5. Referrals:

   • Any referrals to other healthcare professionals or specialists if necessary.
   • Example: "Refer to an endodontist if complications arise or if further expertise is required."

6. Lifestyle and Home Care Instructions:

   • Recommendations for lifestyle modifications and home care practices.
   • Example: "Advise the patient to avoid chewing on the affected side until treatment is completed."

Tips:

• Be specific and detailed in your treatment plan to ensure clarity and adherence.
• Tailor the plan to the individual needs and goals of the patient.
• Ensure that the patient understands their role in the treatment plan, especially for home care and medication adherence.

Example of a Plan Section for Dentistry

This detailed information in the Plan section ensures that the patient receives a comprehensive and personalized treatment strategy, and helps track progress and outcomes effectively.

AI-Assisted Documentation for Dentistry

As of 2025, 66% of healthcare providers use AI tools in their practice. AI scribes and ambient clinical intelligence can significantly reduce documentation burden for dentists while capturing detailed oral examination findings and treatment procedures.

How AI Can Help with Dental Documentation

• Ambient listening: AI captures patient conversations and automatically structures findings
• Procedure documentation: Accurately records treatment procedures, materials used, and tooth numbers
• Coding assistance: Helps capture CDT codes based on documented procedures
• Efficiency: Reduces documentation time by up to 50-75%

Dentistry-Specific AI Considerations

What AI captures well:

• Patient-reported symptoms and chief complaints
• Medical and dental history discussions
• Treatment plan explanations and patient education
• Post-operative instructions and follow-up scheduling

What requires careful review:

• Tooth numbers and surfaces (verify Universal or Palmer notation accuracy)
• Periodontal measurements (pocket depths, recession, bleeding points)
• Restorative materials and specifications
• Radiographic findings descriptions
• CDT procedure codes

Tips for Using AI with Dental Documentation

1. Speak tooth numbers clearly: "Treating tooth number fourteen, the upper left first molar"
2. Verbalize surfaces precisely: "Class two composite restoration on the mesial-occlusal surface"
3. Dictate periodontal findings systematically: "Pocket depth on the mesial-buccal of tooth thirty is four millimeters"
4. Confirm materials used: "Using a nanohybrid composite, shade A2"

For more details, see our complete AI-Assisted Documentation Guide.

Telehealth Dentistry Documentation

Telehealth applications in dentistry (teledentistry) are limited compared to other healthcare fields since most dental procedures require hands-on treatment. However, teledentistry has valuable applications for consultations, triage, and post-operative follow-ups. Per CMS 2026 guidelines and HIPAA telehealth requirements, specific documentation requirements apply.

Appropriate Telehealth Uses in Dentistry

Telehealth visits are appropriate for:

• Initial consultations and triage for dental emergencies
• Post-operative follow-up assessments
• Orthodontic progress monitoring (with intraoral photos)
• Patient education and oral hygiene instruction
• Medication consultations and prescription management
• Second opinion consultations with radiograph review

Telehealth Limitations for Dentistry

Critical limitations to document:

• Intraoral examination: Limited to patient-captured photos or video
• Tactile assessment: Unable to assess tooth mobility, percussion sensitivity, or palpation findings
• Diagnostic testing: Pulp vitality tests, periodontal probing not possible
• Radiographs: Can only review existing images, cannot take new ones
• Treatment: Nearly all dental procedures require in-person care

Example Telehealth Dental Documentation

For complete telehealth documentation guidance, see our Telehealth SOAP Notes Guide.