Implementing NICE Guidelines on Recall Intervals into General Practice

From Volume 37, Issue 7, September 2010 | Pages 454-462

Authors

Sarah Akram

BDS

FY2 Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Eastman Dental Hospital, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital and University College Hospital London

Articles by Sarah Akram

Len D'Cruz

BDS, LDSRCS, FCGDent, LLM, DipFOd

General Dental Practitioner, Woodford Green, Essex

Articles by Len D'Cruz

Email Len D'Cruz

Abstract

The NICE guidelines require practitioners to ensure that each patient has a specific recall interval based on an oral health needs assessment. There appears to be a hesitancy in the profession to move away from the ‘six-month recall’. In England and Wales, Primary Care Organizations (PCOs) monitor activity using quantitative data. One particular metric measures how many patients are seen by the practice within 3 months and also between 3 and 9 months from their last course of treatment.

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a quick reference chart based on the NICE guidelines which, when used in combination with clinical judgement, can aid the clinician in selecting a tailored recall interval. This paper discusses the purpose and benefits for using the guidelines in relation to NHS contractual obligations.

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