Visit Characteristics Associated With Pediatric Dental Appointment No-Shows in an Academic Dental Setting

Objectives: Dental no-show rates negatively impact oral health outcomes, especially among adolescents. While many factors can be associated with no-show in dental appointments, adolescents' no-show rates are influenced by parents' or caregivers' experiences and decisions. This study aims to investigate patient visit-related characteristics that are associated with failure to attend scheduled dental appointments in an academic institution located in Buffalo, New York (NY), a region impacted by health disparities. Methods: A secondary analysis was performed with multivariables extracted from the electronic health records of individuals aged 0-19 years from 2018 to 2023. Bivariate and multivariate analyses at the visit level were performed to compare show/no-show groups concerning demographics, payor at the time of dental appointment, distance from home to dental facility, and Social Deprivation Index (SDI) scores related to their ZIP codes. Results: A total of 7379 visits were included in the analysis. 14.3% were no-shows. Adolescents aged 12-17 years accounted for the greatest no-show rate (24%) when compared with younger children. Age had an increased likelihood of no-show (OR = 1.13, CI = 1.11-1.15), and social deprivation had a slight protective effect in no-show at dental appointments in this academic institution (OR = 0.98, CI = 0.98-0.99). The great majority of pediatric patients come from socioeconomically deprived areas and live further away from the school. Conclusions: Adolescents are the group at most risk of no-show. Future studies should explore strategies to better understand the barriers related to this lifespan as well as implement interventions that facilitate scheduling as well as prevent no-shows.