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Adjunctive Diode Laser Therapy and Probiotic Lactobacillus Therapy in the Treatment of Periodontitis and Peri-Implant Disease
Published on: May 9, 2022
General dentists and periodontal referrals.
Duane E Bennett1, Jung Ho Lee, Philip S Richards
1Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, USA.
The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association
|October 16, 2010
Summary
General dentists show significant variation in making periodontal referrals. Factors like practice characteristics and patient oral hygiene influence referral rates, not disease severity or treatment patterns.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Periodontology
- Dental Practice Management
Background:
- Periodontal disease is a significant oral health concern.
- Effective management often requires specialist referral.
- Understanding referral patterns is crucial for improving patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency of periodontal referrals made by general dentists.
- To identify factors influencing these referral decisions.
- To analyze the relationship between referrals and patient/dentist characteristics.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire survey was administered to 160 members of the Malaysian Dental Association (MDA).
- Data collected included the number of periodontal referrals made in the past month.
- Statistical analysis explored correlations between referral frequency and patient disease characteristics, dentist treatment patterns, practice characteristics, and patient oral hygiene.
Main Results:
- A substantial proportion of dentists (16%) made no periodontal referrals in the last month.
- The majority (67%) made 1-5 referrals, while 10% referred over 10 patients.
- Referral numbers were significantly influenced by practice characteristics and patient oral hygiene, but not by patient disease severity or the dentist's own treatment patterns.
Conclusions:
- There is considerable variability in periodontal referral practices among general dentists.
- Referral decisions appear to be more closely linked to practice logistics and patient engagement than clinical diagnostic or treatment factors.
- Further research may explore strategies to optimize periodontal care through improved referral pathways.
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