Thousands of patients continue to visit the emergency room for dental care due to the inconvenience and price of services at nearby practices, according to local news station KJZZ.
A report from the Utah Department of Health found that thousands of patients are going to the ER for nonemergency issues and preventable diagnoses. The report concluded that patients would be better treated if they went to a dental office.
Patients between the ages of 20 and 40 are among the population that is not going to the dentist, even for preventive care. The two major reasons are the inconvenience of appointments and price of care.
To help get patients into dental offices, the health department recommended urgent care clinics expand their hours. Additionally, pediatricians should begin offering oral health exams. Health officials recommended dentists start using teledentistry for some preventive services.