Epidemiologic study of dental emergencies among utilizers in an insured population in Washington, USA

This is a study of the epidemiology of dental emergencies based on information abstracted from the microfilmed dental claim forms of a large American insurance program in 1981-82. Overall, about 4% of all dental visits were classifiable as emergencies. There were significant seasonal and age variations in dental emergencies. There was no variation with respect to geographic regions in the State of Washington (USA) or sex. Paradoxically, residents in regions having fluoridated water supplies were at equal risk of developing dental emergencies due to dental caries, relative to those residing in non-fluoridated regions. There was also no difference in risk associated with insurance deductibles, although generally deductibles are thought to deter first-contact visits.