Why Do Dentists Refer to Specific Orthodontists?

Abstract

Objective: This study tested the hypothesis that the quality of treatment outcomes and overall patient satisfaction are of equal importance in influencing a general dentist to refer a patient to an orthodontist for treatment. The investigation also attempted to determine what specific aspects of an orthodontically treated occlusion comprise an outstanding result in the opinion of the general dentist. Materials and Methods: Self-administered surveys containing 35 questions were distributed to a random sample of 1000 general dentists in the midwestern United States. Results: Three-quarters responded that the quality of previous orthodontic treatment and patient/ parental satisfaction were of equal importance in the orthodontic referral decision. If additional factors were considered, the quality of the treated result as judged by the general dentist was far more important than the location of the orthodontist's office, the reputation of the orthodontist, or the anticipated cost of treatment. With regard to desired postorthodontic occlusal and functional characteristics, the majority of the dentists ranked canine guidance as most important. Other characteristics were Class I molar and canine relationships, even contact of all teeth in centric occlusion, amount of overjet and overbite, absence of spacing, and absence of balancing interferences. Conclusions:The decision of the general dentist to refer a patient to one orthodontist over another is based on a number of interactive factors. It behooves the orthodontic clinician to provide high-quality treatment, to interact well with his or her patients and their families, and to maintain good communications with general practitioners in the community. (Angle Orthod. 2009;79:5-11.)

Survey of General Dentists to Identify Characteristics Associated with Increased Referrals to Endodontists

“…This approach involves specific behaviors on the part of endodontists that increase opportunities to interact with GPs and facilitate the perception that the GPs are teammates whose input and needs are valued by endodontists. These results concur with past research on other specialist referrals where communication was identified as a key factor in the referral decision (7,12,13). The listed behaviors might be subject to the moderating effects of gender (female GPs) and years in practice (GPs in practice 6-10 years).…”

Gifts from orthodontists to general dentists

“…This is in agreement with previously published literature indicating that mailed paper surveys have a higher response rate. 18,20,21 The sex distribution of the respondents was very similar to that of a study from the Netherlands. 18 Of general dentists responding to this survey, 83% reported that quality of care and patient satisfaction were the most important reason in choosing an orthodontist to whom they refer.…”

Patient’s satisfaction with orthodontic treatment at King Khalid University, College of Dentistry, Saudi Arabia

“…Academic dental clinics also place a strong emphasis on research, and tend to provide new ways of treating patients with cutting edge facilities which highly subsidized or free. Previous investigations have indicated that the quality of treatment outcomes and overall patient satisfaction are of great importance in influencing a general dentist to refer a patient to an orthodontist [10][11][12][13] . In our study significant numbers (n=30, 41.6%) of patients were referred by the general dentists, which can be attributed to high quality treatment outcomes at KKU.…”