Journal of periodontology
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Journal of periodontology · Jun 2011
Outcomes in patients visiting hospital emergency departments in the United States because of periodontal conditions.
The chances of presenting to hospital emergency departments (EDs) are significantly higher in individuals who ignore regular dental care and in those with medical conditions. Little is known about nationwide estimates of hospital-based ED visits caused by periodontal conditions in the United States. The objective of this study is to determine the incidence of ED visits caused by periodontal conditions that occurred in a 2006 nationwide sample and to identify the risk factors for hospitalization during the ED visits. ⋯ Estimates from the NEDS suggest that a total of 85,039 hospital-based ED visits had a primary diagnosis for periodontal conditions. Close to $33.3 million was charged by hospitals for treating these conditions on an emergency basis. ED visits with a primary diagnosis for acute and aggressive periodontitis, covered by Medicare insurance, and comorbid conditions were more likely to result in hospitalization based on the analysis of the NEDS. However, when interpreting these conclusions, one should keep the limitations inherent to hospital discharge datasets in perspective.