Dental care after an emergency department visit for dental problems among adults enrolled in Medicaid

作者:Singhal Astha*; Momany Elizabeth T; Jones Michael P; Caplan Daniel J; Kuthy Raymond A; Buresh Christopher T; Damiano Peter C
来源:Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), 2016, 147(2): 111-119.
DOI:10.1016/j.adaj.2015.08.012

摘要

Background. Dental emergency department (ED) visits are increasing nationally, but EDs provide only palliative care. The authors examine time to subsequent dentist visit within 6 months after the ED visit, as well as the effect of having a dentist visit in the prior year. Methods. Using 2010-2012 Iowa Medicaid claims data, the authors identified adults with an index dental ED visit. The authors examined the claims data for a subsequent dentist visit within the next 6 months. The authors used Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests for bivariate analyses. The authors included a dentist visit in the year before the index ED visit, subsequent ED visits, and sociodemographic characteristics in a Cox multivariable regression model. Results. A total of 2,430 adults enrolled in Medicaid satisfied the study inclusion criteria. Within 6 months, 52.4% had a subsequent dentist visit, 12.0% lost Medicaid eligibility, and 35.6% did not have subsequent dentist visit. Bivariate and multivariable analyses revealed that non-whites, those without a dentist visit in the prior year, and those with subsequent ED visits had a significantly lower rate of subsequent dentist visits. Conclusions. Almost one-half of adults with a dental ED visit did not visit a dentist in the next 6 months. Adults who did not visit a dentist in the past year and those with repeated ED visits may be living with unresolved dental problems that can affect their quality of life. Practical Implications. Adults without a dentist visit in the past year and those who visit ED repeatedly can be targeted by ED diversion programs because they are at higher risk of not receiving follow-up dental care.

  • 出版日期2016-2