From referral to treatment: A retrospective audit on the factors impacting management of impacted maxillary canines in secondary care

Title: From referral to treatment: A retrospective audit on the factors impacting management of impacted maxillary canines in secondary care

Abstract:

The audit evaluated the timing and quality of referral; and duration of orthodontic treatment for patients with impacted maxillary canines, comparing them against national and local standards.
The aims and objectives of the audit were
a) to ensure that 90% of patients are referred before the age of 12.
b) to confirm that 90% of referrals meet local guideline criteria.
c) to confirm that 90% of patients with impacted maxillary canines have their orthodontic treatment completed in 2.5 years or less.
We reviewed randomly selected patient records spanning 12 years (2013-2025) and extracted data on age, gender, type and location of impaction, referral quality, treatment timelines, missed appointments, and other factors that affect treatment duration. This data was anonymised and analysed in Microsoft Excel. Ethical approval was not necessary as this was a service evaluation audit. The results of the audit, which are of significant importance, revealed that only 7% of patients were referred before age 12, failing to meet the first standard. For the second standard, only 71% of referrals complied with local guidelines. The mean duration of orthodontic treatment was 2.7 years, slightly above the gold standard of 2.5 years. These findings underscore the urgent need for improvements in all areas. Recommendations include sending formal emails to local primary care practices to share our findings and upcoming changes, holding a governance meeting to discuss service enhancements, and ensuring patients have adequate notice of their appointments. Inviting feedback from patients, the primary care team, and the Aberdeen Dental Hospital staff will help gather suggestions for improvement. Moving forward, our commitment to patient care remains unwavering. We plan to conduct a re-audit, not just to meet standards, but to exceed them. Our goal is to improve referral age, referral quality, and treatment duration, ensuring that our patients receive the best possible care.

Biography:

Theodore Wong BDS, MFDS RCSEd, is a Dental Core Trainee in Restorative Dentistry at Aberdeen Dental Hospital with six years of experience in general practice and hospital settings. He graduated from the University of Dundee in 2019 and completed his vocational training on the Isle of Islay before working as a dental associate. Theodore began Dental Core Training in Inverness within Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the Public Dental Service, later progressing to his current post. He serves as Sponsorship Secretary for the BDA Aberdeen Committee and has led multiple quality improvement projects. Outside dentistry, he enjoys hiking and travelling.