Opinions of dental consultants on the standard of referral letters in dentistry

Aim: To ascertain the views of dental consultants on the relative importance of a range of topics relevant to specialist referral. Subjects: 200 randomly selected dental consultants working in the UK in 1995. Main Outcome Measures: Data items which referral letters should contain; standard of referral letters; appropriate reasons for referral; how referrals could be improved; should restrictions be placed on specialist referrals. Results: 161 replies were received. Overall there was only slight variation between specialities with regard to data items, appropriateness of referral and standard of referral letter. The perceived standard of referral letters was adequate or better on 76% of occasions; 21% were deemed to be of a poor standard; 2% were described as appalling. Conclusions: A Section 63 course on how to refer competently could be of benefit. Consultants were generally not in favour of restricting referrals to them