Background: In this study, the authors analyzed patterns, trends, and correlates of hospital inpatient admissions for nontraumatic dental conditions (NTDCs) in Florida for the calendar years 2006 through 2016.
Methods: The study was a retrospective analysis of hospital inpatient admissions for NTDCs throughout Florida. The authors derived data from a database maintained by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, the state's primary health policy and planning entity.
Results: There were 26,659 hospital inpatient admissions for NTDCs during the 11-year period. The number of admissions increased from 1,808 in 2006 to 3,542 in 2016, and total charges increased from $46.1 million to $166.5 million. The most common diagnosis was periapical abscess without sinus. Emergency departments were the most frequent source of admission.
Conclusions: Hospital inpatient admissions for NTDCs are a growing challenge in Florida. If trends continue, hospital inpatient admissions for NTDCs will place an increasing burden on the state's health care system.
Practical implications: Increasing numbers of hospital inpatient admissions for NTDCs are largely a consequence of using emergency departments to address dental-related conditions. This growing dental public health concern has major implications for health care resources and outcomes.
Keywords: Florida; Hospitalization; caries; dental pulp diseases; emergency service; hospital; hospital charges; inpatients; periapical diseases; periodontal diseases.
Copyright © 2019 American Dental Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.