Physicians Dissatisfied with Current Referral Process to Dentists

Citation:

M. Beth Miloro DDS, Marko Vujicic PD. Physicians Dissatisfied with Current Referral Process to Dentists. Health Policy Institute, American Dental Association - Research Brief; 2016.

Abstract:

Research Brief written by the ADA Health Policy Institute (HPI), a thought leader and trusted source for policy knowledge on critical issues affecting the U.S. dental care system.

Key Messages

  • In a tertiary health care setting, physicians reported they were dissatisfied with the referral system to dentists, the coverage of dental care services for patients, and their ability to distinguish a worrisome oral lesion from a variant of normal.
  • More than half of worrisome lesions were referred to physician specialists instead of dentists specifically due to the lack of a referral system.
  • Efforts to improve the referral system to dentists, facilitate the creation of an electronic referral system, and promote dental education for physicians could increase both physician and dentist satisfaction and the quality and efficiency of care for patients.