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Epidemiology and Outcomes of Hospital-based Emergency Department Visits with Tooth Fractures
Romesh P Nalliah1, Sankeerth Rampa2, Min Kyeong Lee3
1College of Dentistry, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich., USA.
Insights
Males accounted for most emergency department (ED) visits for tooth fractures. Concomitant injuries often led to hospitalization and increased ED charges.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Dental Trauma
- Public Health
Background:
- Tooth fractures are a common reason for emergency department (ED) visits, particularly among children and young adults.
- Understanding the characteristics of these visits and subsequent hospitalizations is crucial for resource allocation and injury prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the demographic and injury characteristics of hospital-based emergency department (ED) visits for tooth fractures.
- To analyze factors associated with subsequent dental-related hospital admissions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (2008-2010).
- Inclusion criteria: patients up to 21 years old with a diagnosis of tooth fracture due to trauma.
- Examination of ED charges, concurrent injuries, and hospitalizations post-ED visit.
Main Results:
- 199,061 ED visits for tooth fractures; 63% were male.
- Concurrent skull/facial fractures (7%) and intracranial injuries (4%) were noted.
- Falls and motor vehicle accidents were leading causes; 7,233 patients hospitalized.
- Mean ED charge: $1,441; total US charges: $241.8 million.
Conclusions:
- Males represent the majority of ED visits for tooth fractures.
- Concurrent injuries are common and predict hospitalization and higher ED charges.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics of hospital-based emergency department (ED) visits for tooth fracture and subsequent dentally related hospital admissions.
Methods:
This was a retrospective analysis of the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project for the years 2008 to 2010. All children up to 21 years old, with a diagnosis of tooth fracture due to trauma, were selected. Hospital ED charges, occurrence of concurrent injuries, and hospitalization following ED visits were examined.
Results:
A total of 199,061 ED visits were attributed to broken or fractured teeth; males comprised 63 percent of ED visits. Skull and facial fractures were present in seven percent and intracranial injuries in four percent of ED visits. The most frequent causes for ED visits and for subsequent hospitalization, respectively, were falls and motor vehicle accidents. The mean charge for each ED visit was $1,441. Total charges for the entire United States were $241.8 million. Following an ED visit, 7,233 patients were admitted as inpatients.
Conclusions:
Males comprised a majority of these emergency department visits. Occurrence of concomitant bodily injuries appears to be common and is a significant predictor of hospitalization and hospital ED charges.
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