Guidelines for Consultation with and/or Referral to a Physician (2nd Edition)

Course overview

Many patients presenting for care in the dental office have significant systemic health issues, calling for the dental practitioner to work closely with the patient's medical and other healthcare providers to optimize the possibility of successful outcomes. It may be necessary for the dentist to obtain information on a patient's systemic conditions that impact on the delivery of dental care, as well as to alert the medical team to findings that may suggest undiagnosed or poorly managed systemic disease. Patients are best served when dental providers are a part of the patients' inter-professional health care team, working together to promote not only oral but also systemic health. This evidence-based Quality Resource Guide (QRG) provides formats and templates for consultations and referrals to physicians; communication and record-keeping guidance (including communicating consultation requests or referrals, keeping track of requests sent out and received back and documenting and reviewing information received) and discussions of conditions warranting consultation or referral to a physician. The QRG provides all members of the dental staff with the information to better understand the general importance of consulting with and/or referring to physicians in specific circumstances. An extensive table provides an easily accessible resource when questions arise. This QRG will serve as an important resource for the dentist, and all members of the office staff, as they assess and provide therapy for patients with unique and/or complex medical issues.