Minor oral surgery 'specialisation' in general dental practice

Area of Science:

• Oral Surgery
• General Dentistry
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• A general dental practitioner with 4 years of hospital oral surgery experience transitioned to performing minor oral surgery procedures within a general dental practice.
• The study covers a 4-year period of practice.
• This transition aimed to assess the viability of integrating specialized oral surgery services into a general dental setting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the practical and financial feasibility of a general dental practice offering minor oral surgery services.
• To analyze the types of procedures performed and compare them with visiting specialist practitioners.
• To determine the required population base for a dedicated minor oral surgery specialist practice.

Main Methods:

• A 4-year audit of minor oral surgery procedures performed in a general dental practice.
• Analysis of National Health Service (NHS) fees, referral fees, and x-ray costs.
• Comparison of procedural scope between visiting specialists and established specialist practices.

Main Results:

• The variety of minor oral surgery procedures undertaken is documented.
• National Health Service (NHS) fees, including referral fees and x-rays, indicate financial viability for a practice focused on minor oral surgery.
• Differences in procedure types between visiting practitioners and specialist practices were observed.

Conclusions:

• A general dental practice can be practically and financially viable when incorporating minor oral surgery.
• A dedicated specialist practice in minor oral surgery requires a population base of approximately 310,000 to be feasible.
• The findings highlight the potential for expanding oral surgery services within primary dental care settings.