The British journal of oral & maxillofacial surgery
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Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg · Jul 2011
Provision of oral medicine in departments of oral and maxillofacial surgery in the UK: national postal questionnaire survey 2009.
We investigated the current provision of oral medicine in oral and maxillofacial (OMF) departments in the UK. We examined the number of specialists in oral medicine in OMF departments, the training given to OMF consultants in oral medicine, and the estimated time dedicated to treating patients with oral medical conditions in outpatient clinics. We also examined the pattern and reasons for onward referrals to departments of oral medicine. ⋯ Sixteen surgeons (9%) referred 1-2 patients/week to departments of oral medicine, and 19 (10%) referred 2-4/month. Reasons for referral included need for specialist expertise, failure of treatment, and lack of time in outpatients. The proposal for a dentally qualified consultant-led oral medicine service was supported by 70 responding surgeons (38%).