Analysis of the referral system to the public endodontics service in a city within the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

ABSTRACT Objective: Health services evaluation uses both general service monitoring indicators and evaluation research, with the aims of studying service performance and its enhancement through problem solving. This study aimed at analyzing the referral system between primary health care and the secondary level care in endodontics of the Dental Specialties Center in the city of Contagem, Minas Gerais, to seek enhancement of the existing referral protocol. Methods: Secondary data were collected from the municipal data systems as well as from services files, regarding all patients who were attended between 2009 and 2014. Results: Mean time between first appointment and treatment conclusion was 3.12 months. There was higher frequency of individuals from the administrative regions of cities with higher populations and more availability of primary health care units. Similar proportions of single and non-single rooted teeth were treated. High proportions of teeth reached the endodontics service of Dental Specialties Center without possible treatment. Conclusion: Data were generated to provide renovation of the service referral protocol.