What Information Should General Dentists Include in Patient Referrals?

Referring patients to specialists is a crucial phase in dental care. It’s a process that requires thoroughness and clarity to ensure optimal treatment. 

As a general dentist, understanding the most important details to include in your patient referrals simplifies transitions and improves communication with specialists. When the referral process relies on information coming in by email, phone, fax and other mediums, it’s easy for general dentists to lose track of key information the specialist needs – resulting in follow-up emails and phone calls that waste your staff’s precious time. Sindi enables your office to ship all the essential information to the specialist on one easy-to-use platform.

Here are 10 key things you should include when referring a dental patient to a specialist. 

1. Patient Information

A comprehensive patient overview is foundational for setting the specialist up for success. Include all relevant medical history, current dental concerns, diagnostic results, and any relevant imaging or test results.

Here’s a quick overview of the necessary data that should be included in a dental referral: 

• Name, address, and phone number of referring dentist 
• Goal of the referral (condition management, second opinion, etc.) 
• Patient’s name, date of birth, and contact information 
• Information about the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and any clinical findings 
• Insurance if they have it to make sure the patient knows if it’s accepted or not

2. Specific Referral Reason

Specify the reason for referral with clarity to avoid miscommunication. Clearly outline the dental issues, concerns, or conditions prompting the need for specialized care.

3. Diagnostic Findings

Accurate and detailed diagnostic information aids specialists in understanding the patient's condition. 

Provide comprehensive findings from: 

• Examinations 
• X-rays 
• Relevant test results  

Sindi enables you to send all diagnostic findings on one secure platform. No more email. No more paperwork.

4. Treatment Already Administered

Document any prior treatments, medications, or procedures carried out, their outcomes, and their impact on the patient's current condition.

5. Patient's Expectations and Concerns

Include the patient's expectations, concerns, or specific requests, as these insights guide specialists in addressing patient needs effectively.

6. Desired Outcomes

Communicate the anticipated outcomes or goals for specialist intervention, allowing for alignment in treatment strategies. This should include what your patient should get out of their visit with a specialist. 

For example, you may be referring the patient to another provider for something as simple as a second opinion on treatment. In other cases, the patient may require specialized care outside of your scope as a general dentist. 

Either way, the goal of the referral should be clearly outlined to ensure optimal patient care. 

7. Relevant Clinical Photographs

Visual aids, such as clinical photographs, provide specialists with visual context, aiding in better understanding and assessment.

8. Follow-up Information

Include provisions for follow-up care or any specific instructions for post-referral monitoring or treatments.

9. Referral Documentation

Ensure proper documentation of the referral process for internal record-keeping, including the date, specialist's information, and the referral's purpose.

10. HIPAA Compliance

Adhere strictly to HIPAA guidelines to safeguard patient privacy and confidentiality in all aspects of referral communication and documentation.

HIPAA compliance can be a gray area for dental practices, especially without a standardized referral process. A referral software like Sindi can help your office quickly and easily send HIPAA-compliant forms and manage referrals. 

Make Dental Referrals Easy and Compliant 

Attention to detail in compiling and communicating these 10 critical elements in your patient referrals ensures a smooth and effective transition for patients to receive specialized care. Effective communication between general dentists and specialists, enriched by comprehensive referral details, ultimately contributes to enhanced patient outcomes and care continuity.

Are you ready to streamline your referral process? Sign up for Sindi today and see how much time we can save you with our paperless, HIPAA-compliant patient referral software.