Referrals have traditionally involved minimal interoffice communication. Root canals, orthodontics, impactions and the majority of periodontal cases are referred to specialists who do their part and then the general practice does its part. Even in cases that require some level of restorative follow-up, communication between offices (other than clinical letters) remains incomplete.

This scenario, while not ideal, worked well until the advent of implant dentistry. For this service, there are usually two parties involved in an implant case—the surgical specialist and the restorative doctor. These two doctors typically have little understanding of how to work together in such areas as case diagnosis, presentation, communication and follow-up.