432 - Continuity of Dental Care: Comparing Community Outreach Program Referrals to Direct Service Clinic

Purpose: This retrospective chart review compared referral completion rates for pediatric dental treatment between a community based referral site and a direct services clinic, and identified factors that impact the rate of successful follow-up appointments.

Methods: Patient charts (n=96) from September 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024, were reviewed. Two age-matched cohorts were analyzed: one referred from the community-based "Bringing Smiles Comprehensive Care" site and the other from NYU’s predoctoral pediatric clinic to its postdoctoral clinic. The primary outcome was referral completion within three months. Chi-square tests assessed associations between referral completion and site of origin, age, interpreter use, and parental presence.

Results: Of the 96 charts analyzed, 43.8% of referrals were completed within three months. Completion rates were similar between the community site (42.9%) and the predoctoral clinic (44.4%), with no significant difference (p=0.876). Age group (4–7 years vs. 8–12 years) was not significantly associated with completion (p=0.750). Interpreter use was documented in 39.6% of cases; patients without interpreters had higher, but not statistically significant, completion rates (p=0.269). Parental presence, noted in 75% of cases, also trended toward higher completion but did not reach significance (p=0.476).

Conclusions: No significant associations were found between referral source, age, interpreter use, or parental presence and completion of referred dental treatment. Despite this, the overall modest completion rate highlights the need to further investigate barriers to continuity of care, including socioeconomic and logistical factors, to improve access for underserved pediatric populations.