Four top tips to optimise the endodontic referral journey
Improving he patient experience from dentist to endodontist
The decision to refer a patient for advanced endodontic treatment depends on a number of factors. These include the complexity of the required procedure, the clinician’s own experience, and their relationship with their usual referral clinic. For the best outcomes, it is important to facilitate a smooth and efficient process – for the patient and for the professional team members involved.
Whether you choose to work with EndoCare or another expert team when referring patients for endodontic care, here is our brief but vital check list for a first-class referral workflow:
1. Include all relevant information from the start
This may seem obvious, but a 2020 study found that 16% of dental referrals were missing medical histories and 87% contained no supporting radiographs. For many of these patients, this lack of detail would have delayed treatment and left them in pain for longer than was really necessary. At EndoCare, we ask the general dental practitioners we work with to send a full medical and social history, the latest radiographs and/or CBCT scans, clinical photographs, and any specific information of the requested referral treatment.
2. Inform the patient about the referral process before you start
Ensuring that your patient is fully informed about the referral process will afford a number of benefits. They will know exactly what to expect, which reduces any anxiety they may feel about not seeing their routine clinician. It also makes a more efficient treatment process, as the specialist needs only to provide final clarification for proper consent to proceed. When patients are not certain about why they have been referred, this can cause delays to treatment because communication with the specialist will take longer.
3.Maintain open communication
Most referral clinics will maintain open channels of communication with their referrers, ensuring you remain up-to-date with your patient’s progress. Take advantage of these to stay in the loop throughout.
4. Choose your referral practice(s) carefully
Finding a specialist endodontic practice you can collaborate with seamlessly is the key to successful referrals. Choose a clinic for the experience of their clinical team, the capabilities of their technologies, and their approach to patient care. For the duration of the referred treatment, they are an extension of your own team. It is, therefore, vital that they share the same ethos for excellence.
Looking for a simple referral process? Visit the EndoCare referral page to get started!