Beatriz Ferraz Dos Santos1,2, Basma Dabbagh1. 1. Division of Dentistry, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 2. Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Trends of paediatric emergency visits (ED) for dental conditions have been broadly discussed; however, little has been published in the Canadian context. AIM: To describe the utilization of ED for dental conditions among children and to investigate demographic characteristics influencing its use. DESIGN: A comprehensive review of records of all children aged 1 to 17 years who attended the ED service of a paediatric hospital in Montreal, Canada for dental conditions over a ten-year period (2004-2013) was completed. Information on the child's principal dental diagnosis, sociodemographic data and source of referral were obtained. RESULTS: A total of 10,905 paediatric ED visits were seen during the study period. Among the children, 54.7% were male and the majority was younger than 6 years old. Dental caries constituted the most common reason for ED presentation comprising close to 43% of total visits for a dental complaint. Females, teenagers and self-referred children were more likely to experience ED visits due to non-traumatic dental conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The utilization of ED for dental conditions has increased among preschool children in the last decade and was mostly due to caries-related dental problems. Effective preventive strategies are needed to improve the oral health condition of children. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
BACKGROUND: Trends of paediatric emergency visits (ED) for dental conditions have been broadly discussed; however, little has been published in the Canadian context. AIM: To describe the utilization of ED for dental conditions among children and to investigate demographic characteristics influencing its use. DESIGN: A comprehensive review of records of all children aged 1 to 17 years who attended the ED service of a paediatric hospital in Montreal, Canada for dental conditions over a ten-year period (2004-2013) was completed. Information on the child's principal dental diagnosis, sociodemographic data and source of referral were obtained. RESULTS: A total of 10,905 paediatric ED visits were seen during the study period. Among the children, 54.7% were male and the majority was younger than 6 years old. Dental caries constituted the most common reason for ED presentation comprising close to 43% of total visits for a dental complaint. Females, teenagers and self-referred children were more likely to experience ED visits due to non-traumatic dental conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The utilization of ED for dental conditions has increased among preschool children in the last decade and was mostly due to caries-related dental problems. Effective preventive strategies are needed to improve the oral health condition of children. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Entities:
Keywords:
Children; dental emergency; health services research; oral health care access
Authors: Jessica Arieta-Miranda; Abad Salcedo Alcaychahua; Gary Pereda Santos; Manuel Chávez Sevillano; Rosa Lara Verástegui; Daniel Blanco Victorio; Gilmer Torres Ramos Journal: Heliyon Date: 2020-12-09