The effect of orthodontic referral guidelines: a randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To develop and evaluate the effectiveness of referral guidelines for the referral of orthodontic patients to consultant and specialist practitioner orthodontists.


METHODS
Single centre randomised controlled trial with random allocation of referral guidelines for orthodontic treatment to general dental practitioners.


METHODS
Hospital orthodontic departments and specialist orthodontic practices in Manchester and Stockport.


METHODS
General dental practitioners and the patients they referred for orthodontic treatment.


METHODS
Appropriateness of referral, defined as whether the patient was accepted for orthodontic treatment.


RESULTS
The referral guidelines did not reduce the number of inappropriate referrals.


CONCLUSIONS
Referral guidelines for orthodontic referrals did not influence the behaviour of the general dental practitioners. More research into the optimum methods of dissemination and implementation of referral guidelines for use in the general dental service is needed.
O'Brien
K
K
Department of Dental Medicine and Surgery, University of Manchester Dental Hospital.
Wright
J
J
Conboy
F
F
Bagley
L
L
Lewis
D
D
Read
M
M
Thompson
R
R
Bogues
W
W
Lentin
S
S
Parr
G
G
Aron
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004739:England; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000628:therapy; D009970:Orthodontics; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D018401:Sample Size