IADR Abstract Archives
Appropriateness in orthodontics' referral: Evidence from the waiting list of the San José Hospital in Santiago
Objectives: To evaluate the appropriateness in orthodontics' referral of patients on the waiting list in Orthodontics at the Hospital San José de Santiago, applying the "Reference Guide to Orthodontics for Public Health Services" (GRCO), a standardized instrument created and validated with the FONIS Project SA06I20029.
Methods: A calibrated orthodontist applied the GRCO to the total number of patients (350) who had appointment with her, for Orthodontic treatment at San José Hospital at Santiago from June 2016 to May 2017. These patients were on the waiting list in the orthodontic specialty after being referred from the primary health care centers of the Metropolitan Health Service (SSMN). Once evaluated with the GRCO, the patient was given the corresponding order for radiographies for orthodontic treatment and was attended to according to the usual protocols.
Results: A total of 350 patients with an average age of 8 years and an average waiting time of 481 days were analyzed. 282 patients (82.7%) met the inclusion criteria and 59 (17.3%) did not meet one or more of the criteria: 23 (6.7%) had caries, 15 (4.4%) had periodontal disease and 25 (7.3%) were older than 12 years. When evaluating the need for treatment, 40 patients (11.7%) had a slight need for treatment, 301 (83.3%) had a clear need for treatment, of which 29 patients (9.6%) did not comply with the Guideline for Age and Dentition. In addition, 3 had no malocclusion and 6 were undergoing treatment in the same service. Considering all GRCO referral criteria, 237 patients (67.7%) did meet and 113 (32.3%) did not meet the criteria for referral.
Conclusions: It is advisable to standardize referrals to orthodontics for a better use of available resources in Public Health Services.
Methods: A calibrated orthodontist applied the GRCO to the total number of patients (350) who had appointment with her, for Orthodontic treatment at San José Hospital at Santiago from June 2016 to May 2017. These patients were on the waiting list in the orthodontic specialty after being referred from the primary health care centers of the Metropolitan Health Service (SSMN). Once evaluated with the GRCO, the patient was given the corresponding order for radiographies for orthodontic treatment and was attended to according to the usual protocols.
Results: A total of 350 patients with an average age of 8 years and an average waiting time of 481 days were analyzed. 282 patients (82.7%) met the inclusion criteria and 59 (17.3%) did not meet one or more of the criteria: 23 (6.7%) had caries, 15 (4.4%) had periodontal disease and 25 (7.3%) were older than 12 years. When evaluating the need for treatment, 40 patients (11.7%) had a slight need for treatment, 301 (83.3%) had a clear need for treatment, of which 29 patients (9.6%) did not comply with the Guideline for Age and Dentition. In addition, 3 had no malocclusion and 6 were undergoing treatment in the same service. Considering all GRCO referral criteria, 237 patients (67.7%) did meet and 113 (32.3%) did not meet the criteria for referral.
Conclusions: It is advisable to standardize referrals to orthodontics for a better use of available resources in Public Health Services.