How Dentists Refer Braces Patients to Orthodontists

Some Dentists Enjoy Orthodontics, While Others Are Glad to Refer PatientsReferring Orthodontic Patients

In our most recent survey, we asked dentists what percentage of orthodontic cases they refer to an orthodontist. One in four dentists reports that they treat most braces patients themselves. On the other hand, one in three refers out all orthodontic patients.

It’s a win for everyone!” said an Illinois dentist who refers out all orthodontics. “Patients are well served, we are looked upon as caring, and orthodontists are geared specifically to do this.” A Georgia general dentist disagreed, stating, “I don’t need to refer for 95% of cases or more.”

One California dentist summarized his attitude: “I am happy to refer out those cases which I don’t feel competent to treat or which I just don’t want to treat for whatever reason. Having been actively treating orthodontic cases in my general practice for over twenty years now there are not a lot of cases which I refer out. Ortho provides me with a change of pace from the daily drill and fill routine.

Read the full orthodontist referral survey results.

About Julie Frey

Julie Frey is the Editor of TheWealthyDentist.com blog. She has dedicated her career to Internet marketing and communications, working side-by-side with dental marketing guru Jim Du Molin since 2006. She has a degree in Linguistics from Stanford University, has a passion for language and writing, and lives in San Francisco. Julie Frey+

  • RANABIR SINHA

    One may do Orthodontic treatment provided he/she has good theoritical and practical knowledge on the subject.

  • http://www.drharrell.com Dr. Bill Harrell

    What percentage of the ortho cases would you consider “routine” ortho cases. By routine I do not mean simple, only that the orthodontist or dentist has “systems” in place for certain types of cases. Routine could mean expansion cases, extraction cases, or maybe even surgery cases, that fall into “routine” because of the steps or system one uses?

    FYI I have the first conebeam CT in Alabama and am the first Orthodontist in private practice the USA to have Conebeam and 3DMD 3D facial imaging syatem. It is amazing the asymmetry you see on these “so Called” routine cases
    “you don’t know what you don’t know”

    Bill Harrell
    ABO

  • Mike

    I am a marketer working with a an orthodontist opening a new practice. Dentist referrals will be important to his success. We would like to investigate ways to encourage dentists to make referrals. What would appeal to dentists to refer a new orthodontist? Building personal relationships are important, but this takes time. We are looking into possible payments for referrals to help get things started. Any other ideas? Any knowledge of payment referral programs?

Disclaimer

© 2011, The Wealthy Dentist - Dental Marketing - All Rights Reserved - Dental Website Marketing Site Map

The Wealthy Dentist® - Contact by email - Privacy Policy

P.O. Box 1220, Tiburon, CA 94920

The material on this web site is offered in conjunction with MasterPlan Alliance.

Copyright 2011 Du Molin & Du Molin, Inc. All rights reserved. If you would like to use material from this site, our reports, articles, training programs
or tutorials for use in any printed or electronic media, please ask permission first by email.