Referring Dentists

Schedule a Lunch & Learn

We’d love to schedule a lunch with you to get to know you better and share our ideas for how we can work together. Please call us at (801) 293-8833 to arrange a time.

Dentists typically ask us three questions regarding referring patients to Redwood:

When Should I Refer My Patients to a Periodontist?
Why Should I Refer My Patients to Redwood Periodontics instead of Somewhere Else?
How Do I Refer Patients to Redwood?

We will address each of those questions here.

When Should I Refer My Patients to a Periodontist?

Although there are no set rules about when a patient should be referred to a periodontist, the American Academy of Periodontology has published “Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Periodontal Diseases.” These guidelines are useful in identifying patients at greatest risk, and in understanding when referrals are recommended. The foreword to the guidelines states “a one-size-fits-all” approach to periodontal care does not exist. Additionally, the guidelines are not meant to override a clinician’s knowledge, skill level, or abilities. The paper divides patients into three levels:

Level 3: Patients who should be treated by a periodontist

Any patient with:

Severe chronic periodontitis
Furcation involvement
Vertical/angular bony defect(s)
Aggressive periodontitis (formerly known as juvenile, early-onset, or rapidly progressive periodontitis)
Periodontal abscess and other acute periodontal conditions
Significant root surface exposure and/or progressive gingival recession
Peri-implant disease
Any patient with periodontal diseases, regardless of severity, who the referring dentist prefers not to treat

Level 2: Patients who would likely benefit from co-management by the referring dentist and the periodontist

Any patient with periodontitis who demonstrates at reevaluation or any dental examination any of the following risk factors/indicators known to contribute to the progression of periodontal diseases:

Early onset of periodontal diseases (prior to the age of 35)
Unresolved inflammation at any site (e.g., bleeding upon probing, pus, and/or redness)
Pocket depths >5 mm
Vertical bone defects
Radiographic evidence of progressive bone loss
Progressive tooth mobility
Progressive attachment loss
Anatomic gingival deformities
Exposed root surfaces
A deteriorating risk profile

Level 1: Patients who may benefit from co-management by the referring dentist and the periodontist

Any patient with periodontal inflammation/infection and the following systemic conditions:

Diabetes
Pregnancy
Chronic respiratory disease
Any patient who is a candidate for the following therapies who might be exposed to risk from periodontal infection, including but not limited to the following treatments: cancer therapy, cardiovascular surgery, joint-replacement surgery, organ transplantation

We’d love to talk with you more about how to recognize a good referral candidate. Sadly, by the time we see finally see many of our patients, their problems have progressed to a severe state that calls for desperate measures. Our hope is that we can work together with you to do what’s right for each and every patient.

Why Should I Refer My Patients to Redwood Periodontics instead of Somewhere Else?

At Redwood Periodontics, we feel that there are several compelling reasons why we feel we will be your periodontists of choice for your patient referrals:

We will communicate and partner with you. We are easy to get along with, and will respect your insights, goals, and considerations for your patients.
We have an outstanding track record, with world-class scores on our patient satisfaction reviews, and hundreds of success stories. Your patients will come away from our care knowing that you placed them in the very best of hands.
We pride ourselves as being at the cutting edge of our profession, with the knowledge and surgical expertise that can make an optimal impact for the patients you refer to us.
We share your desire to do what’s in the best interest of the patients.

How Do I Refer Patients to Redwood?

Simply call us at (801) 293-8833 to start the process, and we will set you up with our convenient system for referrals.

More Info About Periodontics Procedures and Services

Here are some of the key sites for Periodontology and Dental Implants:

The following are links to other sites that can provide additional details and information.

Seize the Day

Schedule your introductory exam now by calling (801) 293-8833.