OET Case Notes: Dentistry Periodontal Referral (Beginner)
A general dentist writes to a periodontist referring a 45-year-old with generalised moderate chronic periodontitis inadequately controlled by initial scaling and root planing. A beginner case with a single clear diagnosis, two supporting findings, and one specific referral request. A practical first case for dentists unfamiliar with the OET letter format.
Letter type
Referral
Write to
Periodontist
Target length
180–200 words
The case notes
Patient: Mr Ahmed Hassan, 45 years old
Chief complaint: Bleeding gums on brushing for approximately 18 months
Periodontal assessment: Generalised moderate chronic periodontitis; probing depths 4–6 mm in most sextants; Class I furcation involvement at lower first molars
Radiographic findings: Horizontal bone loss 20–30% on OPG (taken 3 months ago)
Treatment provided: Full-mouth scaling and root planing (two visits, 3 months ago); oral hygiene instruction reinforced
Treatment response: Partial improvement; persistent 5–6 mm pocketing in posterior sextants; bleeding on probing still present in 4/6 sextants
Medical history: Controlled type 2 diabetes (HbA1c 52 mmol/mol, reviewed 2 months ago); non-smoker
Medications: Metformin for type 2 diabetes; no relevant drug interactions
Referral reason: Inadequate response to initial therapy; furcation involvement requiring specialist assessment and possible surgical management
Writing task
Write a referral letter to periodontist Dr Sophie Laurent requesting assessment and a management plan for Mr Hassan, summarising clinical findings, treatment provided, and your reason for referral.
What to include, what to cut
The hardest mark to win is selection. The same case notes contain decision-relevant facts and distractors. Here is what an examiner expects to see in a Grade B letter for this scenario, and what should be left out.
Include
-
Probing depths, bone loss percentage, and furcation involvement
These three findings define severity and justify specialist referral. Without them, the periodontist has no baseline to assess on first appointment.
-
Treatment already provided and the inadequate response
This explains why you are referring rather than continuing treatment. A referral without documenting what has already been tried looks like premature escalation.
-
The diabetes diagnosis and HbA1c
Diabetes significantly affects periodontal prognosis and surgical risk. The periodontist must know this — it may change the treatment plan and the timing of any surgery.
Leave out
-
The full content of oral hygiene instructions given
That the patient received OHI is relevant; what you told them is not. The periodontist will reassess and reinforce hygiene independently.
-
The exact metformin dose
The class of medication and its relevance is sufficient. 'On metformin for controlled type 2 diabetes' carries the relevant clinical message for a dental referral.
Criterion in focus · Genre & Style
A dental referral to a periodontist is professional correspondence between clinical colleagues. The tone is collegial but precise — not patient-facing plain language, and not overly deferential ('I humbly request'). 'I would be grateful for your assessment and management plan' is the appropriate register. Examiners note when candidates write as if to a patient (too simple) or as if to a superior (too deferential).
Now write the letter — and find out what is blocking your Grade B
Write a 180–200 words referral letter from these notes, paste it into the free checker for an instant read, then submit it for a human grade against all six criteria. Dr Mariam's team returns line-by-line feedback, from $12.