The Association Between Admission to A Tertiary Children’s Hospital and Future Unplanned Dental Presentation

Abstract

Objective: Dentistry should aim to prevent rather than focus on end-stage treatment which is more costly and less effective. This study investigated the association between unplanned dental presentations and any previous admissions at a tertiary hospital for children. Design: A retrospective analysis of 351 unplanned dental presentations at PCH was performed. Setting: A tertiary children’s hospital, the Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH). Main outcome measures: Reasons for unplanned presentations (infection, trauma, others) and the history of any previous admissions at PCH were analysed. Results: Dental infection and trauma were the main reasons for the unplanned dental presentations. More than half of those who presented due to dental infection had at least once previous admission at PCH due to other reasons. Patients who presented with dental infection were more likely to have previous visits by community nurse or social worker, while those who presented due to trauma, were more likely to have had previous visits at orthopaedic or fracture wards of the same hospital. Conclusions: Community nurses and social workers can possibly play a role in informing patients about dental care options in the primary care sector.