The effect of orthodontic referral guidelines: A randomised controlled trial

Objective To develop and evaluate the effectiveness of referral guidelines for the referral of orthodontic patients to consultant and specialist practijioner orthodontists. Design Single centre randomised controlled trial with random allocation of referral guidelines for orthodontic treatment to general dental practitioners. Setting Hospital orthodontic departments and specialist orthodontic practices in Manchester and Stockport. Subjects General dental practitioners and the patients they referred for orthodontic treatment. Main outcome measure Appropriateness of referral, defined as whether the patient was accepted for orthodontic treatment. Results The referral guidelines did not reduce the number of inappropriate referrals. Conclusions Referral guidelines for orthodontic referrals did not influence the behaviour of the general dental practitioners. More research into the optimum methods of dissemination and implementation of referral guidelines for use in the general dental service is needed. © British Dental Journal.