An audit to assess and improve the quality of referrals received by Community Dental Services from General Dental Practitioners for the one-off treatments of patients under 18 years, with inhalation sedation and general anaesthesia, in Salford

Abstract

Abstract Background In Greater Manchester, 9 per 1000 children have dental treatment under sedation. Many of the referrals received are poor quality and therefore rejected - this results in patients having further pain, time off school and difficulty eating. The aim is to assess and improve the quality of dental referrals for patients under 18 years, received from general dental practitioners to Salford CDS. Methods 50 referrals were assessed to calculate the frequency of each error as well as how many errors were recorded per referral. We ran our second cycle 6 months later. Results Cycle 1 had a 48% acceptance rate. Most referrals had 2 errors, and almost 2 in 5 IHS referrals are not being justified appropriately by the GDP or no diagnosis. We made changes (contacting our triaging hub, local GDPs and creating local triaging guidance) and ran our second cycle 6 months later which showed a 66% acceptance rate. Conclusions While the results of this audit are good, further quality improvement projects are needed to make sustainable changes. To get the best treatment for the patients, GDPs should be made aware of the limitations when they provide poor referrals, and the implications of this for the patient.