Perceptions of general dental practitioners of a local secondary care service in restorative dentistry.
OBJECTIVE
A major role of the hospital based secondary care service in restorative dentistry is to accept referrals in order to formulate treatment plans. The aim of this survey was to improve service provision at Newcastle Dental Hospital by establishing baseline quality perceptions from referring general dental practitioners (GDPs).


METHODS
A postal questionnaire was sent to 393 randomly selected local GDPs, with a response rate of 67%.


RESULTS
Results indicated great demand for advice and treatment which was higher than expected for temporomandibular joint problems. 42% of GDPs felt that treatment plans were not helpful and the period of waiting for a response following consultation too long. The reasons for this perception are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
The need for better communication between primary and secondary care was highlighted, as was the distinct preference of GDPs for hospital consultants rather than registered specialist practitioners to carry out specialist treatment.
Fairbrother
K J
KJ
Department of Restorative Dentistry, Newcastle Dental Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Nohl
F S
FS
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D003253:Consultants; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D003796:Dental Service, Hospital; D004739:England; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013039:Specialties, Dental; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors