Orthodontic Referrals

Referrals in East & West Kent for all orthodontic referrals are now fully electronic and can be made in Practice using the Dental Electronic Referral System (DERS). The algorithms within the system will hopefully help you direct your patient appropriately. Easy IOTN is strongly recommended by the British Orthodontic Society (BOS). This app guides you through the questions you need to answer for DHC and gives you the resulting IOTN score. It then allows you to upload a patient’s photographs if you need help with the aesthetic score. The photographs will be deleted as soon as the app is closed, so no GDPR issues. It makes it so much simpler! The app can be downloaded for free through the Apple app store and is also available for Android phones – see link 2 below.    We have included some further written pictorial guides to assist you.

NHSE/I SE has issued guidance under clauses 260 & 261 of your GDS / PDS agreement (see attachment 8 below “NHSE~I Orthodontic Referrals Guidance cover letter 28 Feb 2020”). Please ensure all current Performers are aware of these details and incorporate them into your practice referral policy so that new Performers will also be aware.

Additional information for LDC website re orthodontic referrals.

When you refer a patient for orthodontic opinion and/ or assessment .

1. Every referral will be triaged and prioritised. If you feel the referral is urgent

• Please indicate this within the referral
• Include clinical photographs and any radiographs

2. When the patient has been seen for assessment , you will receive a report from the orthodontist. You will need to log on to Rego and access the patient’s record. This will include :

• whether the patient qualifies for NHS orthodontic treatment
• what treatment plan has been advised
• whether any extractions ( or any other treatment ) is necessary before active orthodontic treatment commences
• copies of any radiographs taken as part of the assessment (as an attachment).
• Please note that Letters will no longer be sent.

3. If you need to forward this information for onward referral (e.g. referring to Specialist sedation practice / CDS / Hospital for extractions etc) you must include the assessment and treatment plan from the orthodontist.

This can be done by:

• copying as a PDF and save and then adding as an attachment to your referral to Specialist sedation clinic / CDS / Hospital
• or print and scan to attach to your referral.
• This information has to be included or your referral will be rejected.

The following attachments will hopefully help to guide you:

1. When to make an Orthodontic referral
2. BOS Easy IOTN
3. Adult Orthodontic criteria
4. Help with IOTN & What is MOCDO?
5. IOTN Aesthetic Component
6. Eligibility ~ BOS Referral quick reference sheet
7. BOS Ortho referral quick reference sheet
8. NHSE/I SE Orthodontic Referrals Guidance cover letter 28 Feb 2020
9. Acceptance criteria for secondary care orthodontics