> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.referralcatch.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# General Dentists Overview

> How ReferralCatch works for general dental practices — your role in the referral network, what you can do, and how to get started.

## Your Role in ReferralCatch

As a **general dentist**, you are the starting point of every referral. When a patient needs care that falls outside your scope — orthodontics, oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, or any specialty treatment — you initiate a digital referral directly from ReferralCatch.

Your practice manages the full referral lifecycle:

* **Send** referrals to specialists in the network with patient details and clinical notes
* **Track** every referral in real time — no more chasing phone calls or waiting for fax confirmations
* **Receive updates** automatically as the specialist accepts, treats, and completes care
* **Get the patient back** when the specialist refers them back to your practice for continued care

***

## What General Dentists Can Do

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Send a Referral" icon="paper-plane" href="/for-general-dentists/sending-a-referral">
    Create and send digital referrals to specialists in seconds. Include patient information, clinical notes, and the reason for referral.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Track Referral Status" icon="list-check" href="/for-general-dentists/tracking-referrals">
    See the real-time status of every referral your practice has sent — pending, accepted, in treatment, or complete.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Patient Follow-Up" icon="clock-rotate-left" href="/for-general-dentists/patient-follow-up">
    Get notified when a patient has been seen and is ready to return to your practice for continued general care.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Referral Back" icon="arrow-turn-left" href="/for-general-dentists/referral-back">
    Receive a formal referral-back from the specialist once their treatment is complete, closing the loop on patient care.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Scope of Coverage

General dentists on ReferralCatch can refer patients to a wide range of specialties, including:

| Specialty                    | Common Reasons for Referral                     |
| ---------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| Orthodontics                 | Malocclusion, crowding, bite correction         |
| Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery | Extractions, implants, jaw surgery              |
| Endodontics                  | Root canal therapy, apicoectomy                 |
| Periodontics                 | Gum disease treatment, bone grafting            |
| Prosthodontics               | Complex restorations, full-mouth rehabilitation |
| Pediatric Dentistry          | Patients requiring a child specialist           |

***

## Ready to Get Started?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Register Your Dental Office" icon="building" href="/getting-started/register-dental-office-account">
    Create your practice account, complete your profile, and add your team.
  </Card>

  <Card title="How to Join Beta" icon="rocket" href="/getting-started/how-to-join-beta">
    ReferralCatch is in beta. Learn how to request access and get your invite.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Need Help?

Contact us at [info@referralcatch.com](mailto:info@referralcatch.com) and we'll get you set up quickly.