Abstract: Objective To analyze and discuss the guiding role of in-hospital consultations conducted by the department of dentistry in a general hospital to the clinical teaching and resident training. Methods Data of one year in-hospital consultations conducted by the department of dentistry in Peking Union Medical College Hospital was gathered and analyzed through the hospital information system. The clinical departments, classification of consultations, related diseases and conditions, correlated dental knowledge and skill were summarized. Results 1 772 in-hospital consultations were completed by the department of dentistry within 1 year. Most of the consultations were initiated by the department of rheumatology(22.9%). Average monthly consultation quantity was 147.7 cases. There were 6 types of consultations, including facilitation in diagnose and differential diagnosis, oral clearance and evaluation before treatment, management of diseases or conditions related to primary disease, management of diseases or conditions unrelated to primary disease, management of complications and other conditions. The knowledge and skill required to complete the consultations were mapped to the textbooks of dentistry. Conclusions In-hospital consultations compose of a majority of work to the department of dentistry in general hospitals. To be qualified for such works, it is essential to conduct specific training courses to the staff and those courses should be included in the resident training programs. This study offered preliminary references in this field.

Key words: department of dentistry, consultation, in-hospital