Journal of Disability and Oral Health

cover art

Cover Date:
September 2017
Print ISSN:
1470-8558
Vol:
18
Issue:
3

Patient referrals to special needs dental units in Tasmania, Australia

Even though Special Needs Dentistry has now been recognised as a dental specialty in Australia for more than a
decade little is known about the nature of referrals to units dedicated to treating patients with special needs.
Aim and objective: To determine the types of patients referred to special needs dental units staffed by general
dentists and the reason(s) for these referrals. Methodology: Referrals for all patient appointments at Special Care Dental Units in the state of Tasmania during August 2015 were reviewed. Results: Most referrals were from medical practitioners for the management of oral implications of medical conditions or medications. Hospital referrals originated mainly from oncology and geriatric evaluation and management units. Patients had an average of 3 medical conditions. Referrals relating to medications were generally related to the use of Bisphosphonates and Denosumab, and for chemotherapy patients. Conclusion: This study provides details of the types of patients referred to special needs dental units. In particular, it provides insight into the awareness of the oral implications of medical conditions and medications on oral health and dental treatments amongst the medical profession and thus the importance of interactions between oral health professionals and other health professionals. Furthermore, the data stimulates discussion about the potential influence of clinic location and workforce on patient referrals.

Key words: Special Needs Dentistry, Special Care Dentistry, geriatric dentistry, hospital dentistry, oral health, referrals

Article Price
£15.00
Institution Article Price
£
Page Start
87
Page End
94
Authors
M A W T Lim, G L Borromeo

Articles from this issue

  • Title
  • Pg. Start
  • Pg. End

  1. Editorial
  2. 74
  3. 75

  1. iADH Invitation
  2. 76
  3. 76

  1. Conscious sedation using propofol for the treatment of patients with hypersensitive gag reflexes
  2. 77
  3. 86

  1. Patient referrals to special needs dental units in Tasmania, Australia
  2. 87
  3. 94

  1. The oral health status of Special Olympics athletes in Trinidad and Tobago: thirteen years later
  2. 95
  3. 100

  1. Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva and its implications for dental treatment (FOP): A case report
  2. 101
  3. 105

  1. Continuing Professional Development Programme
  2. 106
  3. 107

  1. Diary Dates 2017-2018
  2. 108
  3. 108

2024 rates