Nontraumatic dental conditions in U.S. emergency departments: evaluating the 2021 AHRQ HCUP Nationwide Emergency Department Sample
No Thumbnail Available
Authors
Meeting name
Sponsors
Date
Journal Title
Format
Subject
Abstract
This study examined visit characteristics of encounters for nontraumatic dental conditions within U.S. emergency departments using the 2021 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample from the AHRQ. The aim was to test associations between visit characteristics and nontraumatic dental conditions (NTDC) to uncover key predictors of ED safety-net use among vulnerable populations. Logistic regression using domain analysis was performed comparing encounters for nontraumatic dental conditions to low back pain encounters and to headache encounters in two models. Trends persisting between the two models were evaluated, and adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals were reported. Males (OR 1.2), working age adults 18-44 years (OR 2.6), patients residing in lower income communities (OR 1.14), and Medicaid patients (OR 1.8) or the uninsured (OR 1.6) were found to be at increased risk of using the ED to treat NTDC. Hispanic patients had decreased risk in comparison to White patients (OR 0.68). Key predictors of preventable emergency dental visits are covered under public insurance or no insurance, living in low-income communities or in rural areas. The results of this study support targeted interventions for working age adults who are ineligible for public dental benefits, particularly for male patients, and for improving access to dental care in rural areas.
Table of Contents
Introduction -- Review of literature -- Methodology -- Results -- Discussion -- Conclusions
DOI
PubMed ID
Degree
M.S. (Master of Science)