IADR Abstract Archives

Factors Affecting Patient Referral From General Dental Practitioners to Periodontists

Objectives: The identification of factors that influence the decision of general dental practitioners (GDP) to refer patients to periodontists could serve as a basis for the development of a more efficient periodontal referral process. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the factors that affect the referral patterns of Filipino general dental practitioners to periodontists.
Methods: A self-administered survey was conducted among 75 general dentists practicing in the City of Manila, Philippines. The questionnaire collected data on GDP demographics, periodontal referral patterns, and clinical and nonclinical factors that may influence patient referral to a periodontist. Descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) were employed to identify the primary factors that influence periodontal referrals to specialists.
Results: Among the 75 respondents, 61.3% indicated that they treat periodontitis patients as part of their general dental practice. Eighty percent of the GDPs would prefer to refer periodontal patients to a specialist, with 76% having estimated that they refer <10 patients per month. The type of periodontal condition (81.3%) and the patient’s systemic condition (80%) were the top-cited clinical factors that affect referral of patients from GDPs to periodontists. Other clinical factors that are considered by GDPs are pocket depths (65.3%), degree of mobility (61.3%), amount of bone loss (58.7%), and severity of bleeding (49.3%). Among nonclinical factors considered when referring patients to periodontists, GDPs cited the willingness of patients to cooperate with treatment (32%), the GDP’s perceived personal skill in managing periodontal patients (24%), the specialist’s postgraduate training (21.3%), and the GDP’s proximity to a periodontist (5%).
Conclusions: Multiple factors affect the decision of general dentists practicing in the City of Manila in referring periodontal patients to a specialist. The primary clinical factor considered was the type of periodontal condition while the top nonclinical factor was the patient’s willingness to cooperate with treatment.

2021 South East Asian Division Meeting (Hong Kong)
Hong Kong
2021
038
Periodontal Research-Therapy
  • Flores, Khimberly Joyce  ( University of the Philippines Manila , Manila , Metro Manila , Philippines )
  • Garcia, Ma. Celina  ( University of the Philippines Manila , Manila , Metro Manila , Philippines )
  • Pacete-estrera, Kristine Rachelle  ( University of the Philippines Manila , Manila , Metro Manila , Philippines )
  • NONE
    Poster Session
    Oral health research III
    Wednesday, 12/08/2021 , 12:00PM - 01:00PM