A new patient presents to your office with a chief complaint of tooth #8 decay. What type of examination should be performed?

For a new patient, regardless of the chief complaint, the ADA and professional standards require a comprehensive oral evaluation (D0150). This includes a complete medical and dental history review, intraoral/extraoral examination, periodontal assessment, occlusal evaluation, caries risk assessment, and appropriate radiographs (typically a full mouth series or panoramic plus bitewings). A limited examination (D0140) is appropriate only for established patients with a specific problem. A comprehensive evaluation ensures that no other conditions are missed and provides the basis for a complete treatment plan.