Postal reminders can improve attendance at orthodontic clinics

Abstract

Design: A randomised controlled trial in an NHS hospital orthodontic clinic.

Intervention: Participants either received an appointment or an appointment plus a reminder at least 2 weeks before their appointment. The reminder letter was sent with a stamped addressed postcard, which the patient was asked to return, to confirm the appointment.

Outcome measure: Patient attendance at the clinic.

Results: A total of 231 patients were entered into the study. Patients who received a reminder and returned the confirmation were significantly less likely to fail the appointment than those who did not receive a reminder. 27% of girls failed appointments compared with 15% of boys. Those from areas of high social deprivation were more likely to fail to attend appointment than people who were more affluent.

Conclusions: The use of postal reminders for orthodontic consultation appointments appears to result in a useful increase of appointments that are kept or cancelled in advance but does not counteract the effect of social deprivation on attendance.