Hassan T, Nute S J
Orthodontic Department, Southend Hospital, Prittlewell Chase, Westclif on Sea, Essex, SS0 0RY.
Br Dent J. 2006 May 13;200(9):493-6. doi: 10.1038/sj.bdj.4813524.
To assess referral practice for patients presenting with impacted palatal maxillary canines, and to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of referral guidelines.
Prospective clinical audit.
Southend and Basildon district general hospitals.
The 'gold' standard was identified as regular dental attenders with unerupted palatal canines being referred by 12 years old, with a wait of no longer than 20 weeks from referral to assessment. Data were collected and compared to the defined standard. An algorithm outlining the correct management was developed and distributed to all local dentists. The cycle was repeated for a similar time period.
Ninety-eight per cent of patients were seen within 20 weeks during both cycles while the referrals increased from 85 to 109 patients. The percentage of patients referred by 12 years of age increased from 16.5% to 27% (p = 0.09). During the first cycle 82% of patients presented with retained deciduous maxillary canines. This was reduced to 76% during the second cycle (p = 0.29).
Referral practice was generally poor when compared to the recommended good practice. More patients were referred after distribution of the guidelines, but the percentage referred by the recommended age was not statistically significantly improved.
评估对上颌埋伏尖牙患者的转诊情况，并制定和评估转诊指南的有效性。
前瞻性临床审计。
绍森德和巴西尔登地区综合医院。
“黄金”标准确定为定期看牙的患者，其埋伏尖牙在12岁时被转诊，从转诊到评估的等待时间不超过20周。收集数据并与既定标准进行比较。制定了概述正确管理方法的算法，并分发给所有当地牙医。在类似时间段内重复该周期。
在两个周期中，98%的患者在20周内得到诊治，而转诊患者从85例增加到109例。12岁时转诊患者的比例从16.5%增加到27%（p = 0.09）。在第一个周期中，82%的患者上颌乳尖牙滞留。在第二个周期中，这一比例降至76%（p = 0.29）。
与推荐的良好做法相比，转诊情况总体较差。在分发指南后，转诊的患者更多，但在推荐年龄转诊的患者比例在统计学上没有显著改善。
