Hospital use for non-traumatic dental conditions among older adults in Florida

Older Americans are at risk of many oral diseases and conditions, but limited access to dental care may lead to the use of hospital emergency departments (EDs) or inpatient admissions. This study examined the use of hospitals for non-traumatic dental conditions (NTDCs) among persons aged ≥65 years in the Florida.

We analysed hospital use for NTDCs in Florida in 2018 from health department data sets. We calculated frequencies and rates of ED visits and hospital inpatient admissions, overall and by county, age, sex, race/ethnicity and principal payer. We also examined the source of hospital admission, primary diagnoses and charges.

In 2018, there were 4894 ED visits and 747 inpatient admissions for NTDCs among persons aged ≥65 years in Florida. The rate for ED visits was 112.30 per 100 000 population and for hospital inpatient admissions was 17.14; rates varied widely among counties. Medicare was the most common primary payer. Referrals from EDs accounted for 76.2% of inpatient admissions for NTDCs by older adults. Total charges were $21.4 million for ED visits and $40.2 million for inpatient admissions. The most common principal diagnosis for ED visits for NTDCs was "periapical abscess without sinus tract" (K04.7; 26.2%) and for inpatient admissions was "inflammatory conditions of the jaw" (M27.2; 19.1%). Of the 747 inpatient admissions, two people died.

Hospital use for NTDCs in Florida among persons aged ≥65 years is a clinical and financial challenge. Public coverage for basic adult dental services may lead to more effective use of funds and better health outcomes.