title: A survey of referrals to a restorative dentistry department in a district general hospital.
abstract: This study reports on referrals to a specialist Restorative Dentistry service based in a district general hospital in the United Kingdom. The service encompasses the subspecialties of Endodontics, Periodontics and fixed/removable Prosthodontics and is part of the National Health Service. A prospective, cross-sectional, observational study of consecutive referrals to new patient clinics of a full-time consultant in Restorative Dentistry over a three-month period was undertaken. 277 patients were examined of which 63% were female. 86% of referrals were from general dental practitioners and 79% of patients were from Leicestershire. 44% of referrals were for treatment within the department and 57% were discharged to the practitioners with a treatment plan. The results illustrate the utilisation of a specialist service and show that requests for Endodontic and Periodontal treatment occur most frequently.
authors.affiliation: Charles Clifford Dental Hospital, Wellesley Road, Sheffield, S10 2TA. s.g.ellis@sheffield.ac.uk
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Ashley
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Deans
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003376:Counseling; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003796:Dental Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003778:Dentures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006767:Hospitals, District; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D013222:State Medicine; D013223:Statistics as Topic