What to send with a periodontal referral

We respect the scope of every referral. You can ask for diagnosis, a second opinion, treatment planning, a defined procedure or comprehensive periodontal care. A short note explaining the concern is enough to start. “Perio” has been our bread and butter for a decade; “perio, deep pockets around the molars” is a small luxury. Neither needs a complete referral pack.

Send what you have

The following information is useful when it is readily available. Missing items are not a barrier to referral:

• the patient's full name, date of birth and contact details
• your name, GDC number, practice details and preferred contact route
• the reason for referral and the outcome you are asking for
• relevant medical history, current medicines and allergies
• smoking status, diabetes status where known and other modifying factors
• the periodontal diagnosis and classification, if one has been established
• treatment already provided, the patient's response and review dates, if known
• any restorative, endodontic, orthodontic or implant considerations that affect the plan

Periodontal charting

If you have a recent six-point pocket chart, please send it. Probing depths, bleeding on probing and any recorded recession, furcation involvement, mobility or suppuration help us understand the presentation before the consultation.

If only a BPE is available, send that. If you have baseline and review charts, send both. If no detailed charting has been completed, do not hold the referral back. We will record the periodontal measurements required for diagnosis and planning at the assessment.

Radiographs

Send whatever radiographs you already have, even if they do not show every site or are not the views you would ideally choose for periodontal assessment. Periapicals, horizontal or vertical bitewings and panoramic images can all provide useful context.

Do not delay the referral to take additional radiographs solely for us. We will review what you send and arrange any further imaging needed to diagnose and plan safely. Original diagnostic files are preferable when they can be exported easily and securely, but send the best version available to you.

Clinical photographs

If you already have clinical photographs, they can be helpful for recession, mucogingival concerns, gingival enlargement, aesthetic problems, implant soft-tissue deficiencies and lesions that may change before the consultation.

Photographs are optional. There is no need to take a new set simply to make the referral. We will obtain the clinical images required as part of our own records.

Refer at the stage you need help

If appropriate initial care has already been provided, tell us what was done and how the patient responded. If treatment has not started, or you are unsure what should happen first, you can still refer for assessment and advice.

There is no need to complete a fixed course of treatment before making contact when disease appears to be progressing, the diagnosis is uncertain, there are non-plaque-induced changes, acute concerns, complex medical factors or treatment needs coordination across disciplines. We can help establish the sequence.

What if information is missing?

We will not reject or delay a clinically appropriate referral because detailed charting, ideal radiographs, photographs or a formal diagnosis are missing. We will use the consultation to take a full history, examine the patient and obtain the records needed to reach a diagnosis and plan.

If something is essential before the appointment, we will contact you. Otherwise, send what you can through the secure referral route and we will sort the rest.

What happens after referral?

We acknowledge the referral, review the information available and assess the patient within the agreed scope. We then communicate the diagnosis, prognosis and proposed plan. Where treatment is provided, you receive an update at the relevant stages and a clear handover when active specialist care is complete.

The patient remains under your general dental care throughout unless a different arrangement has been agreed. Routine examinations, urgent care and treatment outside the referral scope remain with the referring practice.

Further reading: SDCEP periodontal referral guidance and the BSP guidelines for periodontal patient referral.