This argument is getting a little crazy but I'll say this...
"When an OMFS has a root tip aspiration he is referring that patient for specific treatment that he can write the orders for and manage because he has done rotations through medicine and ENT and anesthesia. Sure radiology takes the CXR, and if necessary ENT does the bronch, but the OMFS knows the reasons for doing all these procedures and either could or did write the orders for them. He is actively involved in that patient's care, even if he isn't performing all the work. Same as you are when you refer to an OS for your extractions."
-The ENT, radiologist and pulmonologist are going to treat that patient who aspirated a tooth in exactly the same fashion whether a general dentist, periodontist or oral surgeon referred the patient. Just because an oral surgeon has rotated through the different departments does not make them any more of a pulmonologist than the general dentist. Better versed in the medical fields - yes. But,the physicians will write their own orders after gathering the necessary information from the OMFS or dentist. As an oral surgeon, if a pulmonologist referred a patient to me for wisdom teeth removal or facial reconstruction, I'm not going to listen to their opinion on the matter too much.
"If you don't/can't handle the complications, don't do the surgery."
-It all comes down to this. If you can't handle the dental and/or head and neck complications, don't do the surgery. But aspiration of a tooth is a risk both general dentists and oral surgeons take on and will be dealt with by entirely different medical specialties. It's not like the pulmonologist is going ask for your professional opinion. It has passed the head and neck and into an area he/she is very well versed in and may ask for information in a different way, but that's about it. Will the doctor possibly have more respect for your training and knowledge in the medical field? Absolutely, but that doesn't change the care that will be provided.
Do you have a lot of experience in the hospital? As a resident, have you had the chance to do a lot of referrals and work with specialists while managing your patient? From your statement it certainly doesn't sound like it. It sounds like you're saying that since we have no possible way to influence treatment, dumping them on the ER is the only possible option and what happens happens.
OMFS can
admit patients to hospital. They can
write their own orders. They can get
consults from other specialists and still decide the care.
Since you've probably never worked in a hospital, when you admit a patient they're your patient, you can request consults, but those specialists don't dictate what will happen unless you give the go ahead.
I admit the patient, he doesn't go to the ER if I don't want. I write an order for a CXR. Radiologist gives his opinion that the tip may be in the lower portion of the right inferior lobe. He recommends pulmonology consult. I write a consult for pulmonology. They recommend a bronch. I write the order for the bronch.
And even if the patient isn't admitted by the OMFS it's a professional courtesy when working in the hospital to still facilitate the treatment. When you ask for a consult, you don't just turn the patient over to the other service, you follow up and do all the footwork...you optimize the patient and do as much as you can before another service is contacted.
What you described is why people are calling you "tooth fairy" (well probably one of many reasons)...you just refer and assume there's nothing you can do a let the real doctors take care of the problem.
But I would like to know how much time you've spent in the hospital that you are able to have
any contribution to this convo?