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Periodontal diagnosis, treatment, and referral patterns of general dental practitioners

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 04:12 authored by Kraatz, J, Thi HoangThi Hoang, Ivanovski, S, Ware, RS, Crocombe, LA

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the diagnosis, treatment, and referral patterns of periodontal patients by general dental practitioners (GDP).

Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to registered GDP with publicly‐listed postal addresses in Tasmania, Australia. Information was collected on demographics, training and professional development, examination, diagnosis and referral patterns, and periodontal treatment patterns.

Results: Seventy‐seven (44.5%) questionnaires were completed. Over 85% always or usually screened for periodontal disease. On average, 0 to ≤7 patients were diagnosed with periodontal disease. GDP were always or usually confident in treating gingivitis (100%), mild (98.7%) and moderate periodontitis (73.7%), and rarely or never confident in treating severe (81.6%) and aggressive periodontitis (86.8%). Over 38% frequently referred to periodontists, 35.5% sometimes, 21.1% rarely, and 5.3% never. Clinical factors associated with referral were periodontal pocketing of ≥6 mm, tooth mobility, no improvement following treatment, and a complex medical history.

Conclusions: Most GDP performed periodontal screening and diagnosis. They were confident in treating gingivitis and mild‐to‐moderate periodontitis. Referral to a periodontist was associated with disease severity, tooth mobility, a complex medical history, or unsuccessful treatment.

History

Publication title

Journal of Investigative and Clinical Dentistry

Pagination

e12411

ISSN

2041-1618

Department/School

School of Health Sciences

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia

Place of publication

Australia

Rights statement

Copyright 2019 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Dental health

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