Objective: This study was undertaken in order to investigate whether general dental practitioners are providing all of the relevant information regarding TMJ dysfunction syndrome in their referral letters to restorative consultant clinics at Bristol Dental Hospital and whether their referrals are appropriate. Method: This was a retrospective study involving new patient referrals to all restorative consultant clinics between July 2002 and November 2003. 600 patients were identified of which 27 had been referred regarding TMJ dysfunction syndrome. Results: 77.8% were female and 22.2% were male, with a mean age of 38.9 years. The most common findings mentioned in referral letters were tenderness of TMJ/muscles of mastication (29.6%) and history of bruxism (29.6%). Only 22.2% of patients had simple treatment in the form of splint therapy carried out prior to referral. None of the patients had been prescibed medication or given jaw exercises to carry out. Conclusion: The number of referrals to the restorative department for TMJ dysfunction was small (4.5%). The majority of referral letters lacked adequate information. Pre-referral treatment was confined to splint therapy and carried out in only a minority of cases.