Abbreviation – a shortened form of a word
Acronym - an abbreviation formed from the initial letters of other words and pronounced as a word. For example, NASA, SCUBA or CAL
Initialism - an abbreviation consisting of initial letters pronounced separately. For example, CPU, FBI or BP
For simplicity, only the term ‘abbreviation’ will be used in the following section.
You can decrease the amount of time spent on documentation by using abbreviations for patient treatment records. While patient treatment records are important for good patient treatment and follow-up, records also legal documents, so abbreviations and their meanings should be the same in every record. To be certain that everyone in the office uses the same abbreviations and understands what the abbreviations mean, it is a good idea to create a “key” to the abbreviations used in your office so that way anyone writing or reading a record can understand exactly what is being conveyed. A good idea is to post an abbreviation “key” where all employees can see it to help ensure that all of your records contain consistent and accurate information. The key will help all employees, past, present and future, as well as serve as a part of the legal record.
The following list is a compilation of some commonly used abbreviations, acronyms and initialisms:
↑ – Increase
↓ – Decrease
Adv– Advanced
Anes– Anesthetic (e.g., local anesthetic)
Ant– Anterior
Approx– Approximately
Appt– Appointment
ASA– Acetylsalicylic acid or aspirin
ASA– Anterior superior alveolar injection
ASAP– As soon as possible
B– Buccal
Bid– Twice a day
Bilat– Bilateral
BOP– bleeding on probing
BP– Blood pressure
BW– Bitewing radiographs
c̄– With. From the Latin word “cum”
C/C– (Complete/complete) complete maxillary denture and complete mandibular denture
C/P– Complete maxillary denture and partial mandibular denture
CAL– Clinical attachment level
Cau– Caucasian
CC– Chief complaint
cc– Cubic centimeter
CEJ– cementoenamel junction
CHD– Congestive heart disease
CHF– Congestive heart failure
CHX– Chlorhexidine
CNS– Central nervous system
Cont– Continue, continued
COPD– Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
CP– Cerebral palsy
CVA– Cerebral vascular accident (stroke)
D– Distal
DA– Dental assistant
DC or D/C– Discontinue
DH– Dental hygienist or dental hygiene
DOB– Date of birth
Dx– Diagnosis
E.g.– For example
EA– Each
EBV– Epstein Barr virus
ECG or EKG– Electrocardiogram
Echo– Echocardiogram
EIE– Extraoral intraoral examination
Emer– Emergency
Endo– Endodontic
ER or ED– Emergency room or emergency department
Eval– Evaluation
EX– Examination
Ext– Extract, extraction
Fen-phen– Fenfluramine and Phentermine
Fl, Fl2, F, F2– Fluoride
FMR, FMX (outdated), FMS– Full mouth radiographs/series
FPD– Fixed partial denture; a bridge
Freq– Frequent, frequency
Fx– Fracture
Gen– General, generalized
GI– Gastrointestinal
Ging– Gingivitis, gingiva
H2O– Water
H2O2– Hydrogen peroxide
HAV– Hepatitis A virus
HBP– High blood pressure, hypertension
HBV– Hepatitis B virus
HCV– Hepatitis C virus
HIV– Human immunodeficiency virus
Hr– Hour
HS– At bedtime
Hx– History
IDDM– Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus. Type I is the current, preferred term
IM– Intramuscular
Imp– Impression
Inc– Incisal, incisive, incise
Inf– Inferior
Irreg– Irregular
Irrig– Irrigation
IV– Intravenous
L, Ling– Lingual
LA– Lower anterior
LL– Lower left quadrant. Also called Quadrant 3
Loc– Local, localized, local anesthetic
LR– Lower right quadrant. Also called Quadrant 4
M– Mesial
Mand– Mandibular
Marg– Marginal
Max– Maxillary or maximum
Meds– Medication
MHx– Medical history
MI– Myocardial Infarction (heart attack)
Min– Minimum, minute
Mm– Millimeter
Mo– Month
MO– Mesiocclusal
MOD– Mesiocclusodistal
Mod– Moderate
MRI– Magnetic resonance imaging
MSA– Middle superior alveolar injection.
MVP– Mitral Valve Prolapse
N/A, NA– Not applicable
N2O– Nitrous oxide
Nec– Necessary
Neg– Negative
NIDDM– Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus. Type II is the current, preferred term
NKA/NKDA– No known allergies/no known drug allergies
NPO– Nothing by mouth
NV– Next visit
O, occ– Occlusal
O2– Oxygen
OD– Oral diagnosis
OH– Oral hygiene
OHI– Oral hygiene instructions
OP– Operative
ORL– Otorhinolaryngology or otolaryngology. Refers to head and neck area.
OS– Oral surgery
OTC– Over the counter (drug that can be obtained without a prescription)
P– Pulse
P/P– Partial maxillary denture and partial mandibular denture
PA– Periapical radiograph
Pano– Panoramic radiograph
Path– Pathology
PCN or PEN– Penicillin
PD– Periodontal debridement
Perio– Periodontal, periodontitis
PFM– Porcelain fused to metal
PMT, PMTx– Periodontal maintenance therapy or treatment
PO– Orally; by mouth
PPE– personal protective equipment such as gloves, mask, gown and eye protection
Post– Posterior, After
Postop– After surgery
PRN, prn– As needed; as necessary
PSA– Posterior superior alveolar injection
PSR– Periodontal screening and recording
Pt, pt– Patient
Px, PX, prog– Prognosis
Q– Every
Qd– Every day
Qid– Four times a day
Quad or Q– Quadrant. May be followed by a number to specify a particular quadrant.
R– Respiration
Rc– Rubber cup
RCTx or RCT– Root canal treatment
Rec– Recession
Re-eval, reeval– Re-evaluation, re-evaluate
Ref– Referral
Reg– Regular
RHD– Rheumatic heart disease
RPD– Removable partial denture
Rx– Prescription
s̄– Without. From the Latin word “sine”
SBE– Subacute bacterial endocarditis. Preferred abbreviation and term is IE – infective endocarditis
Sig– Write on label
Slt– Slight
SOB– Short of breath
STAT– Immediately
STD– Sexually transmitted disease. The preferred abbreviation and term are STI – sexually transmitted infection
Surg– Surgery
TB– Tuberculosis
tb– Toothbrush
Temp– Temperature
Tid– Three times a day
TLC– Tender loving care
TMD– Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction or Disorder
TMJ– Temporomandibular Joint
Tp– Toothpaste
Tx– Treatment
UL– Upper left quadrant. Also called Quadrant 2.
UNK or unk- unknown
UR– Upper right quadrant. Also called Quadrant 1.
URI– Upper respiratory infection
UTI– urinary tract infection
w/– With
w/o– Without
WNL– Within normal limits
Wt– Weight
y/o– Year(s) old
Yr– Year
