Referral patterns of dentists: transference-countertransference.

The doctor-patient, doctor-doctor dental relationships are discussed from the viewpoint of transference-countertransference psychodynamics. The dental referral process is a triad of patient, general practitioner and specialist and, in many ways, is dependent upon Freud's concept of transference-countertransference. The unconscious distortions of this process may affect the patient's treatment as well as the interpersonal and intraprofessional relationships.