Clinical case library
All cases are fictional and educational. Some cases are designed so that the correct decision is that PBM is not indicated.
Level 1 — Foundation
Clear diagnosis, single objective, direct dosimetry.
Pain and healing after periodontal surgery
Day 1 after open-flap debridement in the upper right; moderate pain, palatal donor area tender
Pain after appliance activation
Diffuse tenderness on several teeth; no mucosal lesion; appliance intact
Recurrent denture-related ulcer
Ulcer beneath an over-extended posterior flange; recurs after each healing episode
Level 2 — Clinical application
Realistic constraints, technique and communication decisions.
'Laser instead of cleaning' — a request to decline
Generalised bleeding on probing, PPD 5–8 mm, supragingival calculus
Third molar surgery — postoperative support
Day 1: moderate pain, buccal oedema, limited opening
Implant placement — what may be promised
Day 1: mild discomfort, minimal oedema, sutures intact
Traumatic lip lesion in a young child
Painful ulcer of the lower labial mucosa; child tolerates about 30 s of intraoral work at a time
Pain after root canal treatment
Tenderness to percussion, no swelling, no systemic signs, adequate obturation radiographically
Level 3 — Advanced reasoning
Competing priorities, incomplete information, misleading requests.
An attractive indication that is not the priority
Persistent pain, exposed bone at the socket margin, malodour, no granulation
Non-healing ulcer — diagnosis before comfort
Indurated ulcer with raised margins, no obvious traumatic cause, unilateral
Extraction in a patient on IV antiresorptive therapy
No exposed bone; adequate oral hygiene; extraction unavoidable
How the cases are scored
- • Each step asks for a decision, then explains the clinical and dosimetric reasoning.
- • A case counts as completed when every step is answered correctly.
- • Evidence level is shown for each decision so claims stay proportionate.
Educational content only. These algorithms are educational decision-support tools and never autonomous medical decision-makers. Clinical decisions remain the responsibility of the treating professional. Certification within OHDR Study™ is not a university award unless an authorised institution has been formally configured.