Trends in the referral and treatment of new patients at a free emergency dental clinic since 1989.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the changes in the pattern of new patient referral and treatment at a dental hospital emergency clinic since the introduction of the new dental contract in 1989.


METHODS
A prospective survey and review of clinical records.


METHODS
The examination and emergency clinic at Cardiff Dental Hospital.


METHODS
500 consecutive new patients attending the clinic in May/June in 1989, 1993, 1994 and 1995.


METHODS
Numbers of referrals; source of referral; geographical distribution of patients; registration with general dental practitioners; type of dental disease; treatment received.


RESULTS
New patient attendances increased by 56% since 1989. Referrals from family doctors and dentists decreased while self-referrals increased. Self-referral by patients not registered with family dentists increased by 56%. Extraction of teeth was the commonest form of treatment in all years and increased by 72%.


CONCLUSIONS
Numbers of patients attending for dental treatment at this setting increased substantially after 1989. Increasing numbers of these patients were inappropriately self-referred for treatment. Patients increasingly selected extraction of teeth as the primary treatment rather than restorative procedures. These changes appeared to be unrelated both to the severity of dental disease at presentation and to socio-economic status.
Thomas
D W
DW
Department of Oral Surgery, Medicine and Pathology, Cardiff Dental School, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park.
Satterthwaite
J
J
Shepherd
J P
JP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003740:Dental Clinics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013218:State Dentistry / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017664:Uncompensated Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006113:United Kingdom