Rates of GDP Referral of Complete Dentures to a Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Purpose of study

To identify areas and sites of excessive referral of complete dentures by GDPs, allowing for factors which might distort referral rates.

Methods

Two hundred and six consecutive valid referrals of patients over the age of 50 years with complete dentures to a local dental teaching hospital and originating from the 29 Sheffield electoral wards were audited from the beginning of 1995 to the end of 1997. The referring practitioner and electoral ward were recorded.

Results

Referral rates were calculated according to the size of the 50+ population within each ward and were found to be normally distributed, following exclusion of two wards with much higher referral rates than normal (3.5 and 6 SDs [standard deviations] from the mean). After calculating mean numbers referred per full-time equivalent (FTE) GDP for all wards, practices and practitioners originating excessive numbers of referrals within a high-referring ward could be identified.

Conclusion

After taking into account factors which might permit a high referral rate to be acceptable, practices with inappropriately high referral rates can be identified and remedial teaching need pinpointed.