Does the All Wales Universal Orthodontic Referral Form enable accurate triage of new NHS orthodontic patients? A service evaluation.

Introduction This study was designed to investigate the accuracy of clinical information provided by referring general dental practitioners (GDPs) following the introduction of a standardised referral form across Wales (the All Wales Universal Orthodontic Referral Form [AWUORF]) and to see whether the information given could be reliably used to screen the referrals.Aim To evaluate whether priority cases were being readily identified and whether inappropriate referrals could be minimised, thereby potentially reducing waiting lists.Method A service evaluation involving the retrospective study of 200 consecutive referrals to a specialist practice over a three-month period. A descriptive data analysis was undertaken.Results The GDPs had successfully identified the main complaint in 156 (78%) of the referrals. Of the 44 (22%) clinically inaccurate referrals, there was no impact on the patient in terms of referral pathway in 32 (16%) cases, but in the remaining 12 (6%), 5 (2.5%) cases were prioritised unnecessarily and the remaining 7 (3.5%) would have been seen more quickly had the GDP provided the relevant clinical information. The appropriateness of referral in terms of eligibility of the patient to receive NHS-funded orthodontic treatment was high with only 18 (9%) patients failing to meet the criteria.Conclusion The AWUORF successfully guides the GDP to make appropriate referrals and enables accurate triage in the majority of cases.

Does a combination of platelet-rich plasma and decalcified freeze-dried bone allograft offer advantages over decalcified freeze-dried bone allograft alone when using pocket depth and clinical attachment level as markers for periodontal healing? A literature review.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether a combination of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and decalcified freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) offers advantages over DFDBA and saline in infrabony defects. The objectives were to primarily evaluate changes in clinical attachment level (CAL) and secondarily changes in pocket depth (PD). A search was performed of electronic databases (Medline, PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science), as well as hand searching and reference list searching. Only randomized, controlled trials published up until 30 March 2018 were included that had a follow-up period of at least 6 months. Four papers met the eligibility criteria and were critically appraised using the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement and put through the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias. In three of the four studies, clinically and significantly greater CAL gains and PD reductions were observed in patients who received PRP and DFDBA in comparison to those who received DFDBA and saline (P < 0.05). Methodological heterogeneity existed among the studies, especially in the preparation of PRP and the type of infrabony defect. This made it difficult to draw clear conclusions, but despite this, the studies could still be regarded, as significant as they showed a low risk of bias.

Patient Feedback on Orthodontic Therapist Student Outreach Training.

The introduction of orthodontic therapists as a new group of dental care professionals (DCPs) requires that their training in specialist orthodontic practices has provision for monitoring the level of supervision and clinical care provided by the students. The University of Warwick Diploma in Orthodontic Therapy programme has developed a patient questionnaire with the aim of assessing the patient's perception of the student. The observational questionnaire was designed to cover the four General Dental Council (GDC) domains and learning outcomes for orthodontic therapists, such that patient response could potentially provide valuable feedback to support the training programme. Each of the 10 students had 30 questionnaires to complete. The questionnaire was anonymous and it was designed to be suitable for both young patients and their carers to complete in less than five minutes. The response rate was very high, with 291 of the 300 questionnaires being completed. The level of co-operation may have been partly due to the ease of completion of the questionnaire, but might suggest the willingness to provide supportive feedback for the students. This study provided formative feedback to students' educational and clinical development without impacting on a student's clinical activity and will be used to develop further assessment tools.