Aim

To assess the usefulness of referral letters from general dental practitioners (GDPs) to a clinic seeing referrals related to temporomandibular disorders.

Design

A retrospective analysis of all referral letters received by the TMD clinic at Manchester Dental Hospital over a ten-week period.

Methods

The new patient referral letters to the TMD clinic were examined against suggested criteria of 16 points of information considered to be useful by clinicians working in the clinic. The letters were then assessed using a quality scale based on the level of useful information given in the letter, and using this scale, classified into groups of ‘very helpful’, ‘some help’ or ‘a little helpful’.

Results

Out of the 100 letters analysed, the majority (94) proved to be a ‘little helpful’ for the TMD clinician; that is to say, the letter included only 0–4 points (out of 16) regarded as important information for the specialist. The maximum number of points of information contained in a letter was nine. No letters were categorised as ‘very helpful’ for the clinician, and only 6% of the referral letters were considered to provide some help (5–12 points).

Conclusions

During the period of the study, in general, referral letters to the TMD clinic concerned contained insufficient information. The introduction of a referral pro forma, produced by the TMD clinic, and guidelines might improve the quality of referrals.