The transfer of child patients from the community dental service to the general dental service.

OBJECTIVE

To determine an effective strategy for the transfer of children from the CDS to the GDS.

DESIGN

Single centre study comprising a retrospective analysis of a 50% random sample of dental records for children transferred from CDO to GDP.

SETTING

Community dental clinic in an urban area of south Manchester with relatively little material deprivation.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Between 1990 and 1995, a GDP worked up to 5 hours a week in the CDS clinic seeing routine child patients referred by the CDO.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Numbers of children registered with a GDP after varying periods of time. Attendance records of children transferred from CDS to GDS and rates of failed appointments.

RESULTS

After 4 1/2 years, 264 child patients had been registered with the GDP under capitation and a further 55 adults were registered under continuing care. The majority of children had retained registration for more than 2 1/2 years. The mean rate of failed appointments was 16%.

CONCLUSION

Children can be transferred successfully from the CDS to the GDS if the GDP works at the community clinic and there are further benefits which accrue to the scheme.