Emergency department visits for nontraumatic dental problems: a mixed-methods study.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Dental Public Health

Background:

• Nontraumatic dental problems frequently lead to emergency department (ED) visits.
• These visits represent a substantial burden on healthcare systems and vulnerable populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the frequency and characteristics of ED visits for nontraumatic dental issues.
• To identify contributing factors and potential strategies for reducing these visits.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods approach analyzing 2010 hospital claims data from Oregon.
• Interviews conducted with 51 ED dental visitors and community stakeholders.

Main Results:

• Dental visits comprised 2.5% of all ED visits, common in young adults.
• Uninsured or Medicaid-insured individuals were more likely to visit the ED for dental issues.
• Visits incurred significant hospital costs, with high rates of opioid and antibiotic prescriptions.

Conclusions:

• ED dental visits are a costly public health concern disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups.
• Implementing multilevel interventions addressing systemic, community, provider, and patient factors is crucial for reduction.