(TC21) Referral Patterns to Endodontists: Analyzing Influencing Factors and Potential Changes Over the Past Decade

The ADA emphasizes the importance of clear, open, and ongoing communication between dental providers and patients when referring cases to specialists or other dentists with specific skill sets (ADA, 2024). Therefore, establishing and maintaining effective communication between general practitioners and specialists is crucial to ensure comprehensive management of the patient’s treatment and overall well-being. However, new endodontic practitioners or those new to a community may have a limited network of general dentists from whom they can obtain referrals. A study by Abbot, Wolcott, Gordon, and Terlap (2011) showed general practitioners only referred 46% of patients who required root canal treatment to endodontists. They further identified several factors that increased referrals to endodontists, including strengthening the GP-endodontist relationship, ensuring timely follow-ups of reports and images, referring patients back for restorative treatment, and offering flexible patient scheduling. Given the growing number of potential endodontic referrals, the increased use of microscopes and CBCT, and the influence of social media on patient preferences, there is a renewed interest in exploring how referral dynamics have evolved over the past decade. This table clinic aims to: (1) compare the findings from Abbot et al.'s study with current trends, (2) examine both old and new factors that can potentially influence GPs' referral decisions to endodontists, and (3) offer insights into building successful referral relationships.