If you’re a general dentist wondering exactly how to refer a patient for dental implants in Great Bookham, the process is more straightforward than many assume, provided the right information is gathered upfront. Missing steps or incomplete records are usually what slow a referral down.
This article walks through each stage of the referral process, from deciding a patient is suitable, through to what happens once they arrive with our team. If you’d rather skip ahead and get a patient booked in, you can book an appointment directly, or read on for the full process.
The Short Answer
To refer a patient for dental implants in Great Bookham, send their dental and medical history, any existing radiographs or CBCT imaging, and clinical photographs where available, along with a brief note on the presenting issue. Our team then reviews the referral, arranges a patient assessment, and communicates the treatment plan back to the referring dentist.
When a Dentist Might Refer
Not every referral looks the same, and timing varies from case to case. Common reasons a general dentist chooses to refer include:
- A patient with one or more missing teeth wanting a fixed replacement
- A case involving reduced bone volume that may need grafting
- A patient asking directly about implants after losing a tooth
- Complex treatment planning where implants sit alongside crowns or bridges
- A need for a second opinion before committing to a treatment plan
If any of these sound familiar, it’s usually worth referring sooner rather than later. Bone volume can reduce over time once a tooth is lost, so earlier assessment tends to keep more options open.
Information to Include With a Referral
The quality of the referral information makes a real difference to how quickly we can assess a patient and plan appropriate treatment. Where possible, referrals should include the details below.
Dental and Medical History
A summary of the patient’s relevant dental history, including previous extractions, periodontal treatment, and any ongoing issues, helps us understand the full clinical picture. Relevant medical history, such as diabetes, bone conditions, or medication that affects healing, is equally important.
Existing X-Rays
Any recent radiographs already held by the referring practice save the patient from unnecessary repeat imaging and give us a useful starting point before deciding what further imaging is needed.
CBCT Imaging Where Appropriate
For more complex cases, particularly where bone volume or proximity to nerves and sinuses is a concern, CBCT imaging gives a three-dimensional view that standard X-rays can’t provide. If this has already been taken, including it with the referral speeds up assessment considerably.
Clinical Photographs
Photographs of the site in question, and the surrounding teeth, help our team form an early impression before the patient’s first visit. This is particularly useful for cases involving aesthetics, such as a visible gap at the front of the mouth.
The Referral Submission Process
Once the relevant information has been gathered, submitting a referral to Great Bookham Dental Practice is simple. Referrals can be sent by phone, email, or through our dedicated page for implant referrals for dentists, which outlines exactly what we need from a referring practice.
We recommend including a short clinical summary alongside any imaging, rather than sending records with no context. A few sentences on why the referral is being made helps our team prepare properly for the patient’s first appointment.
Referral Review
Once we receive a referral, it’s reviewed by one of our dentists with implant experience before the patient is booked in. This step allows us to flag if any additional information or imaging is needed ahead of the appointment, saving time for both the practice and the patient.
If a case looks particularly complex, we may contact the referring dentist directly to discuss it before the patient is seen, so everyone is working from the same understanding of the clinical picture.
Patient Assessment
At the assessment appointment, we carry out a full clinical examination of the relevant site or sites, review the patient’s history in person, and take any further imaging required. This is also the point where we talk the patient through realistic options, timescales, and costs, referencing our fee guide where helpful.
We never confirm a treatment plan before this stage. Every patient’s bone volume, gum health, and medical background are different, and the assessment is what allows us to give accurate, honest advice rather than a generic recommendation.
Where a patient isn’t suitable for a straightforward implant, we discuss alternatives such as dental bridges or dentures, and explain the reasoning clearly so the patient understands their options.
Treatment Planning
Once assessment is complete, we put together a treatment plan tailored to the patient’s specific case. This might involve a single implant, multiple implants, or additional preparatory treatment such as a bone graft before implant placement can go ahead.
For patients with more complex needs, we also consider how implants might sit alongside other planned restorative work, such as crowns, to make sure the overall treatment plan is coordinated rather than fragmented.
Patients are given clear costs at this stage, and we mention 0% APR finance through Tabeo where it may help make treatment more manageable.
Communication With the Referring Dentist
Good referral relationships depend on clear, ongoing communication, not a one-way handover. Once a patient has been assessed, we send the referring dentist a summary of findings and the proposed treatment plan.
We continue to update referring practices as treatment progresses, particularly for patients who may return to their general dentist for ongoing care once implant treatment is complete. This two-way communication is something dentists across Leatherhead, Fetcham, Little Bookham, Cobham, and the wider Surrey area have come to rely on when referring patients to us.
Why Referring Dentists Choose Great Bookham Dental Practice
Our team includes dentists with dedicated implant training, supported by modern imaging technology to help plan cases accurately from the outset. We aim to make the referral process as smooth as possible, both for the referring practice and the patient.
You can see the clinicians involved in implant treatment on our team page, or view our full range of treatments on our services page if you’d like a wider picture of what we offer alongside implants.
Ready to Refer a Patient?
Referring a patient for dental implants in Great Bookham comes down to gathering the right information, submitting it clearly, and staying in the loop as treatment progresses. Our team is happy to talk through a specific case if you’re unsure whether a referral is the right next step.
To get started, you can book an appointment for your patient’s initial assessment, or get in touch with our team directly to discuss the case first.
Frequently Asked Questions
This depends on current appointment availability, but we aim to see referred patients promptly. Complex cases requiring additional imaging beforehand may take slightly longer to schedule.
No. CBCT imaging is useful for more complex cases, particularly where bone volume is a concern, but it isn’t required for every referral. We can arrange this ourselves if it’s needed and hasn’t already been taken.
That’s fine. If no recent imaging is available, we’ll arrange appropriate radiographs as part of the patient’s assessment appointment.
Yes. We send referring dentists a summary after assessment and continue to update them as treatment progresses, particularly where the patient will return to their care afterwards.
Yes. Many referrals are for assessment only, giving the patient and their dentist clear information before any treatment decision is made.
Our implant referrals for dentists page outlines what to include and the best way to send a referral through to our team.
In Summary
Referring a patient for dental implants in Great Bookham is a straightforward process when the right information, dental and medical history, imaging, and clinical photographs, is included from the start. From there, our team handles review, assessment, treatment planning, and ongoing communication with the referring dentist.
If you have a patient who could benefit from an implant assessment, book an appointment today, or reach out to our team to discuss the referral process further.
