325 - Referral Age and Dental Referral Completion in an FQHC

Abstract:

Purpose:
This study evaluated whether age at referral and duration of pediatric care prior to referral influence dental referral completion in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).

Methods:
A retrospective chart review was conducted of pediatric patients referred from pediatric medicine to pediatric dentistry at Sun Life Health, an FQHC in Casa Grande, Arizona, between January 1, 2022, and January 1, 2024. Independent variables included age at referral (≤1 year vs. >1 year) and duration of pediatric care prior to referral (≤1 year vs. >1 year). The primary outcome was referral completion, defined as scheduled and attended dental appointments. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and group comparisons were analyzed using Pearson’s chi-square test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test.

Results:
A total of 356 referrals were included. The mean age at referral was 4.4 years (SD 3.8). Twenty-nine percent of patients were referred at age ≤1 year, and 71% after age 1 year. The overall referral completion rate was 69%. Patients referred at ≤1 year demonstrated a higher, but not statistically significant, referral completion rate compared with those referred after 1 year (74% vs. 67%, P=.2). Duration of pediatric care prior to referral did not significantly affect referral completion (69% vs. 69%, P>.9).

Conclusions:
Early referral showed a trend toward improved dental referral completion; however, no statistically significant associations were identified between referral completion and either age at referral or duration of pediatric care. These findings suggest that factors beyond referral timing may influence referral completion in FQHC settings.