Utilization of emergency dental services by rural, nonreservation Indians

The Shasta-Trinity-Siskiyou Indian dental clinic, which serves rural, nonreservation Indians in California, implemented a health education program designed to convert patients from an emergency to a routine care basis. A study was conducted, therefore, of the utilization patterns of 109 emergency patients treated at a clinic from September, 1971, through November, 1972, in order to provide information to improve this educational program. The results of the study showed that 58.7 percent of the emergency patients returned for routine care. Analyses of those patients who returned and those who did not return for care were made with regard to age, sex, time since last dental visit, and type of emergency treatment received. There were significant differences between the two groups of emergency patients with regard to age and type of treatment received. Those most likely to return for routine care were the patients 15 years or younger, and those who had received operative care. The emergency patients in the 16-25 age group, and those who received periodontal care were the least likely to return. No significant differences were found with regard to sex, or time since last dental visit. The emergency patients and patients whose initial visit to the clinic was for routine care were compared. A significant difference was found with regard to age. The patients 15 years or younger had the lowest percentage of initial visits for emergency care, and the 16-25 year age group had the highest. No significant differences were found with regard to sex, or time since last dental visit. This study may well be the first to examine the utilization of dental services by rural, non reservation Indians. The findings presented can serve as a basis for future investigation to improve the provision of dental services to this patient population.