Referring the Perio Pt Flashcards
1
Q
what does refer mean
A
to direct or send to a source for help, treatment or information, to submit to an authority for a decision or ecam
2
Q
what is a dental referral
A
when a dentist sends a patient to another health professional for evaluation, dx, and/or tx or 2nd opinion
3
Q
why a perio referral?
A
- to do something you dont want to do
- to assure the proper treatment options are offered
- when there is a question regarding the appropraite therapy; many lawsuits are based on the failure to treat periodontal disease appropriately
- to offer patients procedures not routinely performed by youself
- difficult cases you are not comfortable treating
- more advanced periodontal disease and attachment loss (stage III-IV, grade C progression, or high risk modifiers)
- for aggressive or unstable cases not responding to your prescribed treatment regimen
- to help convince a skeptical or unmotivated patient to accept treatment
- standard of care
4
Q
_____ of stage III-IV periodontitis are treated by GPs
A
66%
5
Q
dont assume putting pt through SRP has:
A
solved their periodontal condition
6
Q
______ americans have periodontitis
A
47%
7
Q
what is the process of referring
A
- doctor make the cause to the patient for the referral and the rationale
- recommend a specific periodontist and explain your reasoning to the paitnet
- distribute the specialists card or referral information to the patient as a means of introduction
- you and your staff should attempt to physically arrange the patients appointment with the periodontist while the patient is still in your office, your perceived sense of urgency is crucial for success
- provide the periodontist with a letter of introduction or referral memo on the patient with a reason for referral, your expectations and any restorative treatment you have planned
- decide with radiographs are indicated and who will take them
- fully document your referral recommendation and steps taken in patients chart
- follow up with the specialist if you do not hear anything within a reasonable period of time
8
Q
what are the common challenges from the periodontists perspective
A
- referring office pressures the periodontist to do the evaluation and treatment at the same visit
- the referring doctor quotes a fee to the patient for the specialists services
- insufficient information provided to periodontist about the patient you are sending over
- getting non emergency patients appointed on an expedited basis
- results and outcomes are promised ot the pt in advance to perio visit
- post op healing time is underestimated
- teeth with pulpal symptoms are not tested for vitality prior to referral - take PAs
- requests for limited exams when full mouth periodontal problems exist
- completing definitive restorative therapy on perio involved teeth prior to referral
- failure to dx and treat occlusal issues that are contributors to many perio problems
- treatment planning based on what dental insurance will cover
- referral to dump a difficult pt
- ignoring periodontal symptoms in the hopes that they will just go away
9
Q
what should you expect from your referral to perio
A
- acknowledgement of your referral
- reasonable time frame to see and treat your pt
- specialist communicates with you regarding their findings, dx, recommendations and next step
- thorough explanation to your patient concerning their proposed care
- periodic updates of patient status if the treatment is unusually lengthy
- post treatment report sent by periodontist outlining treatment rendered, prognosis, follow up recommendations and future visits
- favorable, but realistic results obtained and your patients expectations were satisfied
10
Q
what are other referral issues
A
- there are no kickbacks or referral splits permitted in dentistry
- periodontists generally dont steal referring dentists patients
- this referral as an opportunity for your patient to find another dentist
- who sees the perio patient for continuing maintainence and how often
11
Q
when in doubt:
A
refer
12
Q
share maintenance responsibilities on all:
A
high risk pts- stages III and above
13
Q
periodontal disease is both ___ and ____
A
treatable and preventable
14
Q
A
