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Emergency Room Visits with a Non-Traumatic Dental-Related Diagnosis in Hawaii, 2016–2020

Author

Listed:
  • Masako Matsunaga

    (Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA)

  • John J. Chen

    (Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA)

  • Patrick Donnelly

    (Hawai’i Oral Health Coalition, Hawai’i Public Health Institute, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA)

  • Carlotta Ching Ting Fok

    (Hawai’i State Department of Health, Family Health Services Division, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA)

  • Nancy S. Partika

    (Hawaii Grassroots Oral Health Advocate-OPEN, Honolulu, HI 96816, USA)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to characterize the frequencies and patterns of emergency room (ER) visits with a non-traumatic dental-related diagnosis among adults (≥21 years old) in Hawaii, United States. This descriptive cross-sectional study used state-level inpatient and outpatient data recorded in Hawaii from 2016 to 2020. We identified dental-related ER visits using the diagnosis codes for non-traumatic dental-related conditions and summarized the frequency, rates, and cumulative total charges of the ER visits. The results show that approximately 30 thousand ER visits between 2016 and 2020 had a dental-related diagnosis. Sixty-seven percent of them had it as a principal diagnosis, amounting to USD 38.7 million total charges over the five years. A high proportion of these visits was found among those aged 21–44 years old (62%), Medicaid beneficiaries (49%), and Native Hawaiians/Part Native Hawaiians (26%). Compared to the proportions of ER visits with a secondary diagnosis, these groups had a higher proportion of ER visits with a principal diagnosis ( ps < 0.001). A higher visit rate was found for those aged 21–44 years old and from less-populated counties. These results suggest that oral health disparities in age, socioeconomic status, and race/ethnicity exist in Hawaii. Our findings could provide insight in developing a framework to reduce oral health disparities, particularly among Medicaid beneficiaries and Native Hawaiians. Dental coverage with effective education in multiple dimensions is necessary to reduce non-traumatic dental-related ER visits.

Suggested Citation

  • Masako Matsunaga & John J. Chen & Patrick Donnelly & Carlotta Ching Ting Fok & Nancy S. Partika, 2022. "Emergency Room Visits with a Non-Traumatic Dental-Related Diagnosis in Hawaii, 2016–2020," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-8, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:5:p:3073-:d:764947
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sun, B.C. & Chi, D.L. & Schwarz, E. & Milgrom, P. & Yagapen, A. & Malveau, S. & Chen, Z. & Chan, B. & Danner, S. & Owen, E. & Morton, V. & Lowe, R.A., 2015. "Emergency department visits for nontraumatic dental problems: A mixed-methods study," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 105(5), pages 947-955.
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