Unravelling referral paths relating to the dental care of children: a study in Liverpool.

Harris, Rebecca V ORCID: 0000-0002-5891-6826, Pender, Susan M, Merry, Alison and Leo, Anthony (2008) Unravelling referral paths relating to the dental care of children: a study in Liverpool. Primary dental care : journal of the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (UK), 15 (2). pp. 45-52.

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Abstract

<h4>Objective</h4>To describe primary care referral networks relating to children's dental care and the main influences on referral decisions taken by dentists working in a primary care setting.<h4>Design</h4>A postal questionnaire to all 130 general dental practitioners (GDPs) in contract with Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), and 24 Community Dental Service (CDS) dentists in Liverpool.<h4>Outcome measures</h4>Characteristics of patient groups and factors influencing the choice of referral pathway of children referred from primary dental care.<h4>Results</h4>There were good responses rates (110 [85%] GDPs and 22 [92%] CDS dentists). The two main reasons why GDPs referred children to hospitals were (a) for treatment under general anaesthetic (GA) or relative analgesia (RA) and (b) for restorative care of dentally anxious children. GDPs also referred anxious children requiring simple restorative care and/or RA to the CDS. Only eight GDPs (7%) cited a lack of experience as a reason for referral of dentally anxious children for simple restorative care, compared to 53 (48%) who cited a lack of RA facilities, and 25 (23%) who cited financial considerations.<h4>Conclusions</h4>GDPs refer children to both hospital services and the CDS, and identify a lack of RA facilities and economic pressures as key reasons for referral.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Harris, Rebecca V Pender, Susan M Merry, Alison Leo, Anthony Comparative Study England Primary dental care : journal of the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (UK) Prim Dent Care. 2008 Apr;15(2):45-52.## TULIP Type: Articles/Papers (Journal) ##
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Humans, Anesthesia, Dental, Anesthesia, General, Conscious Sedation, Tooth Extraction, Dental Care for Children, Dental Restoration, Permanent, Attitude of Health Personnel, Dental Anxiety, Decision Making, General Practice, Dental, Pediatric Dentistry, Community Dentistry, Clinical Competence, Child, Dental Service, Hospital, Referral and Consultation, Primary Health Care, England, Female, Male, Surveys and Questionnaires
Subjects:	?? RK ??
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Life Courses and Medical Sciences > School of Dentistry
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	14 Nov 2008 14:20
Last Modified:	17 Dec 2022 00:50
DOI:	10.1308/135576108784000294
Publisher's Statement :	This article has been reproduced from Primary Dental Care.
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/442