Referrals

Making a referral

If you're a London general dental practitioner (GDP), please use the pan-London endodontic referral form.

Referrals must meet level 2 or 3 of our complexity guidance. Please see the referral form for details about each level.

Radiographs

All referrals must include a current, dated and diagnostically acceptable parallel-view periapical radiograph(s) of the affected tooth or teeth.

Your referral will be rejected if the diagnostic quality is unsafe for decision-making. For example, if your radiographs fall into grade 1 or 2 of the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000.

The same quality standards apply if you send paper copies of conventional or digital radiographs with your referral.

Pre-referral checklist

For many teeth this is only possible after removal of restoration and placement of a sound, well-fitting provisional restoration before referral.

Where the referred tooth has a de-cemented bridge retainer or caries at the restoration margin, the restoration should be removed by the referring dentist. This is for caries removal and restorability assessment. The tooth should have a sound, well-fitting temporary restoration in place before making a referral.

Your patient must be willing and healthy enough to have endodontic treatment.

For basic periodontal examination (BPE) codes 2, 3 and 4, please confirm the supra or sub gingival debridement has been done using local anaesthetic and periodontal control achieved.

Please make sure your patient knows:

• we'll decide after an assessment consultation if we're able to accept them for treatment
• they may need several long appointments and success is not guaranteed
• the referring dentist is responsible for all restorative phases after completion of endodontic treatment. Not to do so risks both treatment failure and tooth loss

Exclusion criteria