Guidelines for referrers
Eastman Dental Hospital
Division of Diagnostic Surgical & Medical Sciences
Facial Pain Clinic
GUIDELINES FOR REFERRAL TO FACIAL PAIN CLINIC
Facial pain is defined as pain in the face, mouth or jaws which had been present for at least three months,
does not include headaches, migraines or dental causes of pain. Patients with acute locked/ locking jaws /
clicking need to be referred to oral surgery. Currently children only seen in exceptional circumstances.
Referral to Facial Pain Services is advised if:











Facial pain has persisted for over three months
Patient with tempormandibular disorders (TMD) has not responded to simple measures as outlined
in the TMD leaflet – reassurance, analgesics, alteration of life style
There is increasing disability and distress due to persistent pain
Pain is widespread and /or part of systemic disease
Facial pain associated significant psychological, social and/or physical impact
Facial pain with concurrent mental health difficulties which complicate management
Patients with special needs e.g. disabled, unable to communicate, language problems
Difficulties with adherence to treatment, severe side effects from medications, excessive demands
for medication, wish to use complimentary and alternative medicine.
There is a recognized pain syndrome, e.g. trigeminal neuralgia, requiring complex treatment
Dentist/ medical practitioner wishes to be given a diagnosis and treatment plan
Patient wishes further information on diagnosis, treatment and prognosis
Fast track: Acute trigeminal neuralgia that is not responding to standard medication- please phone or fax
through for an urgent appointment.
Contact details :
Facial Pain Clinic
Eastman Dental Hospital
256 Gray’s Inn Road
London WC1X 8LD
TelThe
020 referral
7915 1053/2314
process
Fax: 020 7915 1105
Website: www.uclh.nhs.uk services/ Eastman dental
hospital/ facial pain
Referrals must be legible and either be on the proforma (UCLH website/ how to refer/
standard/referral forms ) or contain equivalent information.
Waiting times in line with national targets 18 weeks from referral to treatment for those accepted.
Different types of information sheets, questionnaires and data will be sent to patients. The
questionnaires are the equivalent of investigations such as blood tests and imaging. It is vital that
current and past treatments for the pain are provided including dosage and time used.
UCL Hospitals is an NHS Trust incorporating the Eastman Dental Hospital, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson &
Obstetric Hospital, The Heart Hospital, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, The Middlesex Hospital, National
Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, The Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine and
University College Hospital.
Guidelines for referrers
Eastman Dental Hospital
Division of Diagnostic Surgical & Medical Sciences
Facial Pain Clinic
Referral process
Incomplete
Returned to
GDP/GP/specialist
(1-2 working days)
Request to GP for
Medical history if
missing
Letter sent to GDP/GP
May include information on
management / leaflet for pt
Referral received
and vetted by
consultant (24-72
hrs)
Inappropriate referral
(1-2 working days)
Sent to another
department
Referral accepted
(routine waiting time up
to 9 weeks)
ECRA write inviting
patient to make an
appointment – two letters
discharge if no reply
Discharged
with
information
Patient information
sheet &
questionnaire to
complete prior to
appt
Pain
assessment
clinic letter
GP/GDP/pt
UCL Hospitals is an NHS Trust incorporating the Eastman Dental Hospital, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson &
Obstetric Hospital, The Heart Hospital, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, The Middlesex Hospital, National
Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, The Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine and
University College Hospital.
Continued
treatment