For patients and caregivers

What dental clearance means before a big treatment

Dental clearance is a dentist looking first, writing down what they found and when, and sending it to the team treating you. Your part is making sure it arrives before your treatment date.

Why does my care team ask for it?

Your treating team asks for a dental check when they want to know the state of your mouth before treatment begins. Before radiation to the head and neck, for example, the case for handling dental problems first is strong. For other treatments, your team decides whether a check is needed. Either way, the answer has a deadline: your treatment date.

A clearance is a finding on a date

It describes your mouth on the day of the exam. It is not a guarantee about the weeks after. If your treatment date moves, ask whether you need a second look.

What should I ask?

• When is my treatment date, and by when does the team need the dentist's answer?
• Which dentist should I see, and has their office received the request?
• Who on my care team is waiting for the answer, and how do I reach them?
• After my exam, how will the answer get back, and how will I know it arrived?
• If the dentist finds something, does it need care before my treatment?

A dentist's answer that never reaches your team can hold things up as much as a missed appointment. Asking who receives it is the most useful question on the list.

Questions patients and caregivers ask

What is dental clearance?

Dental clearance is a dentist's dated finding on your mouth, sent to your care team before a major treatment so they know where things stand.

Who asks for a dental clearance?

Your treating team does, often through a nurse navigator or care coordinator. They ask a dentist to examine you and send back a finding before your treatment starts.

Can I ask for the referral myself?

You can ask for it, and a clinician reviews and signs it. ReferralRight's free request page emails the doctor or dentist you name a secure link, and you follow progress on your own status link.

Does it cost anything to use ReferralRight?

No. ReferralRight is free for patients, physicians and dentists, and there is no account to make.

Will my health details be sent by email or text?

No. ReferralRight never puts patient information in an email, a fax notice or a text. Those carry a secure link and a reference number only.