9Referral

9 Referral

(1) A general practitioner may refer an eligible patient for a dental service only to:

(a) an eligible dentist; or

(b) an eligible dental prosthetist, if the patient:

(i) has no natural teeth and requires only dental prosthetic services; or

(ii) requires only repairs or maintenance to an existing denture.

(2) A referral by a general practitioner must be made in the form published by the Department and described as ‘Referral Form for Dental Services under Medicare’, as existing on 1 November 2007, or a form that substantially complies with that form.

Note The form is available on the internet — see http://www.health.gov.au.

(3) An eligible dentist who has provided a dental service to an eligible patient referred to the eligible dentist under this subsection or subsection (1), (4) or (5) may refer the patient to an eligible dentist, an eligible dental specialist or an eligible dental prosthetist for an additional dental service.

(4) An eligible dental specialist who has provided a dental service to an eligible patient referred to the eligible dental specialist under this subsection or subsection (3) may refer the patient to an eligible dentist, an eligible dental specialist or an eligible dental prosthetist for an additional dental service.

(5) An eligible dental prosthetist who has provided a dental service to an eligible patient referred to the eligible dental prosthetist under this subsection or subsection (1), (3) or (4) may refer the patient to an eligible dentist or an eligible dental prosthetist for an additional dental service.