Hospital Inpatient Admissions of Children and Adolescents for Nontraumatic Dental Conditions in Florida

Barriers to regular dental care may lead to children being hospitalized for dental problems. The purpose of this study was to examine trends related to pediatric hospital inpatient admissions for nontraumatic dental conditions (NTDCs) in Florida between 2006 and 2016. Data were from the Florida Department of Health inpatient admission database and included zero- to 19-year-old patients. The authors calculated age-specific and age-adjusted rates of inpatient admission for NTDCs and the proportion of all hospitalizations they comprise. There were 6,217 inpatient admissions for NTDCs of zero- to 19-year-olds in Florida between 2006 and 2016. The median charge was $21,654 per admission, and total charges were $196,220,470. Medicaid was the primary payer. Admission rates increased in all age groups, and age-adjusted rates increased by 62 percent during that period. The two most common NTDC diagnoses were periapical abscess without sinus tract and cellulitis of the mouth. The rate and cost for hospital inpatient admissions to treat nontraumatic dental conditions increased significantly for children and adolescents in Florida during the past decade. Establishment of a dental home at an early age and removing barriers to receiving regular and periodic dental care may result in more effective and efficient use of health care resources and better patient outcomes.