Characteristics of Patients Seeking Comprehensive Versus Urgent Dental Care at a University Dental Clinic

To compare characteristics of patients seeking comprehensive versus urgent care at a university dental school clinic, particularly regarding self-reported history of primary care provider (PCP) visits in the previous year.

In this retrospective chart review, electronic data were collected from patients seen at the admissions clinic between 2016 and 2021. Patients were dichotomized based on their choice of comprehensive care (CC) versus urgent care (UC). Univariate, bivariate, and multivariable statistical analyses were conducted.

Among approximately 28,000 patients, 57% sought CC while 43% sought UC. From 2016 to 2021, the proportion of patients seeking CC increased steadily from 52% to 63%. In multivariable analyses comparing patients who chose CC versus UC, the variables most strongly associated with being in the UC group were: not having seen a PCP in the year prior to the dental appointment (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.52-1.83), being 25-44 years old (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.08-1.36), being self-pay (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.27-1.57), having blood pressure values in the prehypertensive, Hypertensive I, or Hypertensive II stage (OR = 1.25, 1.47, 2.05 respectively; 95% CI = 1.13-1.38, 1.28-1.68, 1.52-2.76, respectively), and being obese Class III (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.25-1.70).

Patients who sought urgent care were more likely to report not having seen a PCP in the previous year compared to patients who chose CC, after controlling for important confounding variables. Possible clinical and educational implications are discussed.