Practice abstract
British Dental Journal 192, 371 - 374 (2002)
Published online: 13 April 2002 | doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4801379
Why undertake outreach into general dental practice?
P D Cheshire1
- In contrast to many outreach studies this outreach was found to benefit all participants
- Assessment of the outreach indicated acquired learning which would lead to changes in clinical practice
- The outreach improved the interface between the primary and secondary sectors
- The GDP did not see outreach as a replacement for the conventional referral system
- There is scope to incorporate outreach into CPD and play a role in clinical effectiveness
Abstract
There are many reasons why patients are referred to consultants in restorative dentistry and these range from general practitioners requiring treatment planning advice, to the desire for the consultant to undertake the treatment. The consultation process should be seen as an opportunity to educate the patient about the nature of their dental problem, to make them aware of the various treatment alternatives as well as to inform them of their role in the prevention of further disease. The nature of the hospital-based consultation means that the general dental practitioner is to a large extent a passive onlooker. The educational value for the practitioner will be dependent upon the nature of the written report (or other forms of communication) sent to the general dental practitioner following the consultation. In some cases this may be very limited, so when the practitioner is faced with a similar case, because they have not been actively involved with the previous examination and consultation, they will have no alternative but to also refer the new case for treatment planning advice.
- Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, St. Richard's Hospital, Chichester, West Sussex and Eastman Dental Hospital, London
Correspondence to: P D Cheshire1
St. Richard's Hospital, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 4SE
e-mail: david.cheshire@rws-tr.nhs.uk
