Heggie, C. orcid.org/0000-0002-5627-8357, Gallichan, N., Gartshore, L. et al. (4 more authors) (2022) Traumatic and non‐traumatic dental presentations to the paediatric emergency departments of two UK children's hospitals: A multi‐centre evaluation. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 32 (1). pp. 90-100. ISSN 0960-7439
Abstract
Background: Dental attendances to paediatric emergency departments (PEDs) represent suboptimal use of resources of an unknown scale.
Aim: To evaluate dental attendances at two PEDs in the UK and compare traumatic dental injury (TDI) and non-traumatic dental conditions (NTDCs).
Design: Retrospective data were collected for a 12-month period including demographics, attendance pattern, assessment, and management. Maxillofacial conditions were excluded, and attendances were grouped as TDI and NTDC.
Results: Of 667 attendances, 35.1% (n = 234) were TDI and 64.9% (n = 433) NTDC. Nineteen children reattended. Proportionately, more TDI attenders were male, White British, of lower mean age, and resided in less deprived areas than NTDCs. Over half (52.3%, n = 339) of attendees resided in the 10% most deprived UK areas. Saturday and Monday were modal attendance days; attendance peaked in summer. Over half (56.4%, n = 376) attended out of hours. A majority (74.8%, n = 499) self-referred and half accessed no other service prior to PED attendance. No PED dental input was received for 38.7% (n = 258), and dental treatment was received for 12.4% (n = 83). Antibiotics were provided for 42.1% (n = 281), and 15.4% (n = 103) were admitted.
Conclusion: Dental abscesses and toothache accounted for half of attendances, many of these children may be managed in primary care. Improved signposting to alternative dental services for non-urgent conditions may better allocate resources to those with urgent need.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Keywords: | caries, Emergency department, trauma, urgent conditions |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > School of Dentistry (Leeds) > Restorative Dentistry (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 18 Dec 2024 10:44 |
Last Modified: | 18 Dec 2024 12:39 |
Published Version: | https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ipd.12... |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Identification Number: | 10.1111/ipd.12796 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:220937 |