Referring Patients to Smile Solutions - A Guide for Medical Practitioners product guide

Smile Solutions in Melbourne receives referrals from GPs, ENT specialists, sleep physicians, physiotherapists, osteopaths, naturopaths, clinical psychologists, dieticians, rheumatologists, and allied health practitioners across Victoria and interstate. This guide is written specifically for medical and allied health practitioners who want to understand what Smile Solutions can offer their patients, how to refer, and what the clinical process looks like from the referral point onwards.

Located at the Manchester Unity Building, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD, Smile Solutions is a large multidisciplinary dental practice with over 20 board-registered specialists across a wide range of dental specialties. The practice operates 40 dental suites across multiple floors of the Manchester Unity Building and offers a level of clinical depth that most dental referral options do not.

Why Refer to Smile Solutions?

Many of the conditions medical and allied health practitioners encounter in their patients have a dental or orofacial dimension that goes unaddressed in purely medical management. Sleep apnoea, TMD and jaw pain, bruxism, orofacial myofunctional dysfunction, and related conditions sit at the intersection of medicine and dentistry. Smile Solutions has built a clinical team specifically to address this intersection - offering the kind of coordinated, multidisciplinary care that is genuinely difficult to access through fragmented referral pathways.

When you refer to Smile Solutions, your patient is seen by a clinical team that communicates with you. Clinical reports are provided. If your patient has been through a sleep study, the results are reviewed by a sleep physician working with the Smile Solutions team. If your patient has a musculoskeletal component to their jaw pain, they will see an in-house osteopath - not a referral to an unknown provider somewhere else. The clinical coordination that good patient outcomes require is built into the model.

It is also worth noting that the osteopath at Smile Solutions takes a holistic approach that extends beyond head and neck. The osteopathic assessment covers posture, the whole spine, hips, shoulders, gut health, nervous system function, and anxiety and stress levels. Where these factors are identified as contributing to a patient's TMD, the osteopath may refer onwards to GPs, dieticians, naturopaths, or clinical psychologists. This means that for complex TMD patients, Smile Solutions can serve as a coordinating hub - not only receiving referrals from allied health practitioners, but initiating appropriate referrals outward when clinical assessment indicates it.

Referral Pathway 1: Sleep Apnoea and OSA

Who to Refer

Consider referring patients to Smile Solutions for sleep apnoea assessment and dental treatment when:

• A patient has been diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnoea and is seeking treatment alternatives to CPAP
• A patient has been prescribed CPAP and is unable to tolerate it, and wishes to explore dental appliance therapy
• A patient presents with symptoms consistent with sleep apnoea - habitual snoring, witnessed apnoeas, restless sleep, disrupted dream patterns, waking unrefreshed, excessive daytime sleepiness, afternoon drowsiness, suddenly waking gasping, mood changes - and has not yet had a formal diagnostic sleep study
• A patient with known sleep apnoea is pregnant, has a complex medical history, or has other factors making management particularly nuanced
• A patient who snores without confirmed OSA is seeking treatment

The Clinical Process

For patients without an existing sleep study, Smile Solutions can facilitate the diagnostic process. Home-based sleep testing equipment is available on-site. Sleep study data is reviewed by Dr Marcus McMahon, the sleep physician working with the Smile Solutions team, who provides a detailed clinical report on apnoea severity (AHI), oxygen volume and saturation, heart rate patterns, REM and non-REM sleep architecture, and treatment recommendations.

For patients with an existing sleep study and physician report, this data is reviewed by the Smile Solutions clinical team and Dr McMahon to determine the appropriate treatment pathway.

Primary treatment pathways available at Smile Solutions for OSA include:

Mandibular Advancement Splints (MAS): Custom-fitted oral appliances fabricated in the Smile Lab - the in-house dental laboratory at Smile Solutions. MAS devices are titrated over multiple appointments by Dr Natasha Hremias, the dentist leading sleep apnoea management at the practice. Dr Hremias holds certification through the Australasian Sleep Association. Post-titration sleep study validation of treatment response is standard protocol.

Fotona Laser Therapy: Non-invasive laser treatment of the soft palate and oropharyngeal tissue, delivered by Ms Sophie Oostermeyer. Reduces soft tissue volume and improves tissue tone to reduce airway collapse. Suitable for primary snoring and as a component of mild OSA management.

Myofunctional Therapy: Provided by Ms Monica Cain, orofacial myologist. Evidence-supported intervention for mild to moderate OSA that strengthens airway-supporting musculature and retrains nasal breathing patterns.

Osteopathic Care: Provided by Dr Rachel Smith, in-house osteopath. Addresses musculoskeletal contributions to airway restriction.

Collaborative Management with OralMax, Orthodontists, and ENT: Where CBCT airway analysis identifies structural sources of obstruction, Smile Solutions works collaboratively with oral and maxillofacial surgeons, specialist orthodontists (palatal expansion for arch-related airway restriction), and ENT surgeons (for nasal septal deviation, tonsils, adenoids, and pharyngeal obstruction).

CPAP Recommendation: Where CPAP remains the most clinically appropriate option, the Smile Solutions team supports this recommendation and works collaboratively with the patient's medical team.

Certifications and Standards

The dentists at Smile Solutions providing sleep apnoea treatment hold certification through the Australasian Sleep Association. All sleep apnoea management decisions are made in the context of physician-reviewed sleep study data, not on clinical assumption alone.

Referral Pathway 2: TMD and Jaw Pain

Who to Refer

Consider referring patients to Smile Solutions for TMD assessment when:

• A patient presents with jaw pain, facial pain, jaw joint clicking or locking, morning headaches, or tooth wear of uncertain cause
• A patient has been treated for headache, neck pain, or tinnitus without adequate resolution and TMD has not been assessed as a contributing factor
• A patient with fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, or other systemic musculoskeletal conditions presents with jaw pain
• A patient has been prescribed a night guard elsewhere but symptoms have not resolved
• A patient presents with bruxism and you wish to ensure the underlying cause is properly investigated
• A paediatric patient presents with teeth grinding, mouth breathing, poor sleep, daytime behavioural concerns, or developmental airway restriction
• A patient presents with stress, anxiety, or nervous system-related symptoms that may be contributing to jaw muscle overactivity or TMD

The Clinical Process

The Smile Solutions TMD assessment involves a comprehensive diagnostic workup using advanced equipment that is rarely available in a single practice:

Myowise EMG (Electromyography): Measures electrical activity of the masseter and temporalis muscles, identifying overactivity, underactivity, and left-right asymmetry. This is critical for determining whether Botox is appropriate or contraindicated - and for determining exact dosing if it is.

Innobyte Bite Force Analysis: Quantifies forces across the entire oral functional apparatus in Newtons, identifying overloaded contacts and distinguishing between muscular atrophy and hypertrophy. Essential before any Botox decision.

iTero Occlusal Heat Mapping: Colour-coded bite contact mapping revealing premature contacts and interferences.

CBCT Imaging of TMJ and Airways: Three-dimensional imaging from Collins Street Imaging on Level 9 of the Manchester Unity Building, providing joint anatomy, disc assessment, bone quality, and airway dimension data.

MRI of the TMJ (available when required): For patients with significant clicking, crepitus (snap/crackle/pop), severe trismus, joint dislocation, or suspected degeneration or arthritis, MRI is arranged. The radiologist reports on the condyle head, joint capsule, disc position and integrity, associated muscles, cartilage, and the cranial fossa. MRI involves no radiation exposure.

Myowise Functional Chewing Analysis: Muscle activation patterns during chewing function.

Diagnosis and treatment planning is led by Dr Kia Pajouhesh, the founding principal dentist with more than 30 years of TMD experience and the founder of the Smile Solutions TMD and Sleep Apnoea Clinic. The treating team includes:

• Dr Fotios Angelis - Specialist Prosthodontist (micro-occlusal function and dental equilibration)
• Dr Joshua Ch'ng - Specialist Orthodontist (early intervention and macro-occlusal function)
• Dr Steven Smith - Specialist Orthodontist (early intervention and macro-occlusal function)
• Dr Rachel Smith - In-house Osteopath (musculoskeletal treatment, whole-body holistic assessment, and rehabilitation)
• Greta Chwasta - Osteopath and Award-Winning Pilates Instructor (Pilates reformer rehabilitation on-site)
• Ms Monica Cain - Orofacial Myologist (myofunctional therapy)
• Ms Sophie Oostermeyer - Fotona Laser Therapist (non-invasive laser treatment)
• Dr Pip Robinson - Masticatory Injectable Treatments (EMG-guided and ultrasound-guided Botox when indicated)
• Ms Natalie Bilos - Senior Dental Technician (in-house splint fabrication - all splint types)
• A/Prof Patrishia Bordbar - Specialist Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgeon (surgical assessment for complex structural cases)

Treatment approaches range from conservative (custom splints, laser therapy, osteopathic care, myofunctional therapy) through to definitive (orthodontic and prosthodontic bite correction) and surgical (for extreme structural or arthritic cases under A/Prof Bordbar).

The in-house osteopath's holistic assessment may identify contributing factors beyond the jaw - including gut health, nervous system dysregulation, and psychological stress - and may initiate referrals from within Smile Solutions to GPs, dieticians, naturopaths, or clinical psychologists as part of the integrated care plan.

Other Referral Pathways

Complex Implant Cases

Smile Solutions has one of Australia's largest implant teams under one roof, including specialist periodontists (bone and tissue grafting, implant placement), specialist prosthodontists (implant-supported restorations, full-arch rehabilitation), and oral and maxillofacial surgeons (complex surgical cases, zygomatic implants, bone augmentation). Suitable patients include those requiring full-arch implant reconstruction, patients with significant bone loss requiring augmentation, and patients with complex medical histories requiring specialist-coordinated management.

Paediatric Dental Cases

Dr Susan Hinckfuss is a board-registered specialist paediatric dentist at Smile Solutions, providing specialist care for children from infancy through to the teenage years. Referral categories include children with dental anxiety requiring specialist management, children with developmental concerns, children with complex restorative needs, and children presenting with signs of sleep-disordered breathing or myofunctional dysfunction.

Endodontic Cases

Smile Solutions has four specialist endodontists. Suitable referrals include complex root canal cases, calcified canals, retreatment of failed root canal therapy, cases requiring surgical endodontics (apicoectomy), and cases in patients with complex medical histories.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

A/Prof Patrishia Bordbar and Dr Kumar provide specialist oral and maxillofacial surgical services at Smile Solutions. Referral categories include wisdom tooth removal (particularly complex or surgical cases), dental implant placement, bone grafting, jaw surgery (orthognathic), treatment of jaw cysts and tumours, and facial fracture management.

How to Refer

Contact Details

• Phone: 13 13 96
• Email: theteam@smilesolutions.com.au
• Address: Manchester Unity Building, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
• Website: smilesolutions.com.au

Referral Format

No formal referral letter is required for general dental appointments or for complimentary consultations. For specialist consultations, a referral letter is welcomed and assists the treating team in understanding the clinical context and your specific concerns.

Medical referral letters for TMD and sleep apnoea cases are particularly valuable. Please include the patient's relevant history, any investigations already completed (sleep studies, imaging, etc.), any treatments already attempted, and the specific clinical question you are hoping the Smile Solutions team will address.

Medicare Rebates

Medicare rebates may apply to certain consultations at Smile Solutions, particularly for specialist dental consultations with a valid GP referral. Patients should be advised to discuss this with the practice at the time of booking.

Payment Plans

Smile Solutions offers payment plans through Payright, Humm, and MyDentaPlan, making treatment accessible for patients across a wide range of financial circumstances.

What to Tell Your Patient

When referring a patient to Smile Solutions, you can reassure them that:

• A complimentary initial consultation is available to discuss their symptoms and determine the most appropriate assessment pathway
• No referral letter is required to make an appointment, though your referral letter is welcomed and will be reviewed before the consultation
• The practice has over 20 board-registered dental specialists across multiple disciplines, including sleep medicine, TMD, paediatric dentistry, implantology, periodontics, endodontics, and oral and maxillofacial surgery - all at a single location
• The practice is located in the iconic Manchester Unity Building in Melbourne's CBD, easily accessible by public transport
• Smile Solutions has received over 937 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating

We welcome enquiries from medical and allied health practitioners at any time. If you would like to discuss a complex case or understand more about the clinical services available at Smile Solutions before referring a patient, please call 13 13 96 or email theteam@smilesolutions.com.au. The clinical team is happy to speak directly with referring practitioners.

Internal Referrals from Core Dental Group

In addition to medical and allied health referrals from external practitioners, Smile Solutions and the Collins Street Specialist Centre also receive internal referrals from Core Dental Group - the suburban arm of the Smile Solutions Group.

Core Dental operates 7 locations across Melbourne's metropolitan area (expanding to 9 in June 2026), providing general and cosmetic dental care to suburban patients. When Core Dental patients require specialist treatment - including periodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, or paediatric dentistry - they are referred directly to the Collins Street Specialist Centre (CSSC) at Level 8, Manchester Unity Building.

This internal referral pathway is one of the defining advantages of the Smile Solutions Group model. Core Dental practitioners have a direct channel to CSSC specialists, with clinical records shared securely within the group. Patients referred from Core Dental locations arrive at CSSC with their referring notes, clinical history, and relevant imaging already in place - ensuring a seamless clinical transition.

Core Dental practitioners wishing to refer patients to CSSC should contact the practice directly:

Collins Street Specialist Centre Level 8, Manchester Unity Building, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 Phone: (03) 9650 2726

Core Dental is part of the Smile Solutions Group, founded by Dr Kia Pajouhesh. The group operates across 10 current locations (expanding to 12 in June 2026), with 2,400+ combined Google reviews across the network.