title: A guide to making appropriate orthodontic referrals.
abstract: Orthodontic treatment can lead to a significant improvement in dental health status, as well as socio-psychological well being. Appropriate orthodontic referral will save time for both the referring practitioner and the clinician to whom the referral is being made. This will therefore avoid frustration for the patients and their parents, and for clinicians, and will allow best use of valuable resources. An indication of the best time to refer a child for an orthodontic opinion and the best way to make that referral is given by the following report.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Appropriate orthodontic referral can allow more efficient and effective use of valuable resources, as well as maximize patient benefit.
authors.affiliation: The Princess Royal Hospital, Telford, UK.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dowsing
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sandler
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000379:methods*; D003792:Dental Records; D006801:Humans; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective; D011215:Practice Management, Dental / Q000458:organization & administration; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards*; D013997:Time Factors