What is the first step in the treatment process following an examination?

The first step in the treatment process following an examination is typically emergency therapy. This is crucial because it addresses any immediate issues that may require urgent attention, such as pain management, infections, or other acute dental conditions that could compromise a patient's health or impede the effectiveness of further treatment.

Emergency therapy ensures that the patient is stable and that any urgent concerns are resolved before proceeding with additional phases of treatment. This step lays the groundwork for a more comprehensive treatment plan by ensuring that the patient's basic health and comfort are prioritized.

Other options, while important in overall periodontal treatment, are generally not the first priority after an examination. Patient education, for example, is essential for empowering patients with the knowledge to maintain their oral health and understand their treatment options, but it typically follows after any urgent needs are managed. Similarly, scaling and root planing is a crucial component of periodontal therapy but is usually performed once the patient is stable and any emergencies have been addressed. Periodic re-evaluation is an essential process for monitoring the patient's progress over time but occurs after initial treatments have been implemented.