Does referring a patient reflect badly on a dentist?
Not at all, though it’s often misunderstood. Many people assume that if a dentist refers a case or calls a consultant, it means they’re incapable. But that’s far from the truth. Dentistry itself is a specialised field, and within it, there are 8 recognized specialties, from endodontics to oral surgery. Not every case can be managed by a general dentist alone. In fact, even a specialist like an orthodontist might refer a complex wisdom tooth extraction to an oral surgeon. Referring isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of good clinical judgment and a commitment to providing the best possible care.
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true we might have the same thinking ( for those who are not from medical field, they don’t known this and even the people who are less educated )
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Which part of the country are you from?
Asking, because here in Mumbai and Pune, it is common to call a specialist or MDS…
It’s not really about the place. It’s more about people’s mindset. You never know what someone is thinking. Most of the time, the ones who don’t turn up for a specialist consultation have this thought “Why do I need to see someone else? Can’t you do it?” I’ve heard this so many times in my practice. That’s why I said it’s not just about where they’re from, but how they perceive referrals.
That is being responsible
True
I dont think so! It is always better to refer if you are not an expert in it!
Exactly! But still in some of the small cities, people think that there’s some problem with the dentist and avoids visiting them.