Impact of a restorative dentistry service on the prescription of apical surgery in a district general hospital.

The case records of a group of patients who had undergone periapical surgery in a district general hospital were examined and compared with the criteria agreed by a group of hospital restorative dentists as to whether apical surgery was appropriate rather than, at least initially, a non-surgical treatment option. Only 65% of the patients met the audit criteria. As a result, changes have been made to clinical practice, including a greater involvement of restorative clinicians in the decision-making process when apical surgery is under consideration.