A retrospective analysis of referral patterns to a university oral medicine clinic

The aim of this study was to analyze referral patterns to a university-based oral medicine (OM) clinic and to identify access issues to OM care.

A retrospective patient chart review on all OM specialists at the University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) over a 1-year period was performed. Data collected included patient age and gender, referring clinician training and experience, reason and urgency of referral, provisional and final diagnosis, and the referral times. Proportions for data points were collected by using a 95% Wilson Score confidence interval. Two-sided Fisher's exact tests were performed for significant differences.

In total, 924 patients were included. Dentists referred 81.4% of the cases, with the remaining cases referred by physicians. Patients traveled, on average, 55.44 km to the OM clinic, with a mean wait time of 105.5 days. White/red lesions were the most common referral reason (38%), with the tongue (21.8%) being the most common site of concern. There was no significant difference in the accuracy of provisional diagnoses between clinician types. Immune-mediated conditions were the most common final diagnosis.

The referral patterns of dental and medical practitioners are similar, with mucosal lesions being the most common referral reason. In our study population, access to care was compromised by wait times and travel distances.