The recording of the patient’s name, address, and telephone number; identification number (eg, social security number); age (date of birth); sex; race or ethnicity; name, address, and telephone number of a friend or next of kin; name, address, and telephone number of the referring dentist or physician, as well as that of the physician(s) and dentist(s) whom
the patient consults for routine problems; and insurance and billing data is usually handled by clerical personnel and is readily computerized. The clinician should confirm the accuracy of these data in an informal fashion as the interview proceeds.