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Considerations for restorative dentistry secondary care referrals - part 1: defining strategic importance

British Dental Journal volume 233, pages 27–34 (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

Strategic importance is an essential concept for dental service providers. It allows clinicians to differentiate treatment needs on both a patient level and a health care commissioning level, not simply based upon complexity alone. On a patient level, it influences both the clinician's and patient's decision as to whether a tooth/teeth should be restored, as well as determining the possible need for specialist input. On a commissioning level, it facilitates the prioritisation of limited resources.

Strategic importance can be considered at a patient level, taking into factors such as age, tolerance to treatment and the patient's choice. It can also be considered at a mouth level, accounting for factors such as its impact on function and aesthetics function. All these factors together can influence the decision as to whether complex treatment is warranted on a given tooth, especially in a healthcare model where the allocation of limited resources is necessary.

Key points

  • An assessment of strategic importance should be carried out before treatment planning or onward referral to a secondary/tertiary care unit.

  • Outlines the key considerations for determining strategic importance at a systemic and local level.

  • Takes into account strategic importance before treatment may be essential in allowing the allocation of resources in both primary and secondary care.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dental Core Trainee, University Dental Hospital of Manchester, Higher Cambridge St, Manchester, M15 6FH, UK

    Don S. Jayawardena & Jacob Watts

  2. Speciality Registrar in Restorative Dentistry, University Dental Hospital of Manchester, Higher Cambridge St, Manchester, M15 6FH, UK

    Reem Ahmed

  3. Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, University Dental Hospital of Manchester, Higher Cambridge St, Manchester, M15 6FH, UK

    Joanne Cunliffe & James Darcey

Authors
  1. Don S. Jayawardena
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  2. Reem Ahmed
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  3. Jacob Watts
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  4. Joanne Cunliffe
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  5. James Darcey
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Contributions

Don S. Jayawardena, Reem Ahmed, Jacob Watts, Joanne Cunliffe and James Darcey all contributed to the literature search and the writing and drafting of the manuscript, as well as subsequent revisions.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Reem Ahmed.

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The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Jayawardena, D., Ahmed, R., Watts, J. et al. Considerations for restorative dentistry secondary care referrals - part 1: defining strategic importance. Br Dent J 233, 27–34 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-022-4443-z

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