🚨 Important: This feature is currently in Beta testing, and will be rolled out globally soon.
How do I create private referrals?
📝 Please note: For UK users, this process differs slightly for NHS referrals. Please follow the dedicated guide for creating and viewing NHS referrals.
You can create three types of private referral:
Private in-group referral - Refer to specialists at other practices within the same multi-site or enterprise group. The receiving practice will be able to see the patient’s full record and referral details, to support continuing care (learn more about what the receiving practice sees here).
This type of referral can only be sent to practices with at least one practitioner who has recorded their specialisms in Dentally. If a practice has no specialisms recorded, it will not show as an option.
Private in-house referral - Refer to specialists within your own practice, at the same location as you. Other users at your practice will be able to be able to see this patient's referral details
External referral - Log referrals for external practices, so that your team can view and keep track of external referrals (please note that this type of referral will not actually be sent to the receiving practice, and we will not share the patient's details).
Once created, private referrals can be viewed at any time by clicking 'View referral' at the top of the relevant appointment in the chart.
We are developing a patient referrals report where you will be able to view all referrals created at or received by your practice - look out for more information coming soon.
Private referrals cannot be deleted once created.
To create a referral:
In the patient's chart, find the relevant treatment plan and appointment that you wish to create a referral for.
Click 'Create referral' above the appointment details. A pop-up window will appear.
💡 Top tip: For UK users with NHS referral integration, you will see an additional first step, asking you whether you want to create a private or NHS referral. Select 'Private referral'.
Select the type of private referral you wish to create, then click 'Next'. Choose from:
Private in-group referral - This is only visible if you are part of a multi-site or enterprise group, and allows you to refer to practitioners at other practices within your group. Selecting this option will share the patient details with the receiving site.
Private in-house referral - This allows you to refer to other practitioners within your own site. Everyone in your practice will be able to see the referral details.
External referral - This allows you to log referrals sent to other practices, but will not share the patient details outside your practice
After that, the steps for each referral type differ.
For private in-group referrals (only visible for multi-sites and enterprise groups):
You will see a confirmation of the patient's details, asking you to confirm that the patient agreed to their personal data being shared with another practice.
Next, select a practice to refer to - practices will only appear in this list if they have at least one specialist.
You can search by practice name, or filter the list to practices with specific specialities if needed.
You will be asked if you want to refer to a specific practitioner.
You can leave this to 'Any practitioner', to maximise the chance of the referral being accepted.
The list will show all practitioners at the site you have selected, who have recorded at least one specialism.
Select the reason for the referral, or the area of concern. These reasons are not customisable.
Add any supporting documents or additional notes you wish to attach with the referral. These must already have been uploaded to the patient record.
You will now see a summary of your referral which you can review before sending.
When you're happy, click 'Send referral' - the referral will automatically be sent to your chosen practice, and will be recorded in the patient's treatment plan so you can refer back to it later.
The patient's record will be shared with the receiving site, ensuring they have the data they need to continue the patient's care, even if site locking is enabled. Learn more about what the receiving practice sees here.
The referral status will initially show as 'Sent' - if the receiving practice updates it to 'Accepted' or any other status, you will be able to see this. You, as the sending practice, cannot change the status.
For private in-house referrals:
You will be asked if you want to refer to a specific practitioner. The list will show all practitioners at your practice.
Select the reason for the referral, or the area of concern.
Click 'Submit referral' - the referral will accessible to your chosen practitioner, and will be recorded in the patient's treatment plan so you and they can refer back to it later.
For external referrals (outside your practice/group):
This will not generate and send a referral - it just allows you to track referrals you have sent manually.
Select a specialist - the list will be based on any specialists you have set up as contacts in your practice. If they don't exist in your list of specialist contacts, they will not appear in this list.
Select the reason for the referral, or the area of concern.
Click 'Log external reference' - the referral will be recorded for the patient, but the referral is not automatically sent.
