Dental ER visits doubled from 1.1 million in 2000 to 2.2 million in 2012, according to the American Dental Association, cited by The Courier –Journal.
Here are six things to know about the rise of ER visits for dental problems:
1. Limited insurance is a major catalyst for the high-rate of ER dental visits, as 15 percent of dental ER visits are by people who are uninsured or are on government insurance plans, according to the report.
2. Dental ER visits cost over three times what a routine dental visit costs; $749 on average if there is no hospitalization required.
3. Dental ER visits cost the United States healthcare system $1.6 billion annually.
4. Ruchi K. Sahota, DDS, of Nijar Dental in Fremont, Calif., and consumer adviser for the ADA told The Courier –Journal that the visits are avoidable if people were going to the dentist more frequently, and that "prevention is priceless."
5. Cost poses a barrier to entry, however, as 10 percent of American adults with Medicaid dental plans have trouble finding dentists to take them, which the ADA says is partly due to low reimbursement rates.
6. According to the report, community health centers with dental clinics pose an alternative for low-cost dental care, as do university dental school clinics.
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