MEDICATIONS PRESCRIBED IN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS FOR NONTRAUMATIC DENTAL CONDITION VISITS IN THE UNITED STATES

Abstract

Background

Prior research has documented factors associated with non-traumatic dental condition (NTDC) visits to emergency departments (EDs), but little is known about the care received by patients in EDs for NTDC visits.

Objective

We examined national trends in prescription of analgesics and antibiotics in EDs for NTDC visits in the United States.

Research Design

We analyzed data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care survey for 1997 to 2007. We used a multivariable logistic regression model to examine factors associated with receiving analgesics and antibiotics for NTDC visit in EDs.

Results

Overall 74% received at least one analgesic, 56% at least one antibiotic and 13% received no medication at all during an NTDC visit to the ED. The prescription of medications at EDs for NTDC visits steadily increased over time for analgesics (OR=1.11/year, p=<.0001) and antibiotics (OR=1.06/year, p<0.0001). In the multivariable analysis, self-pay patients had significantly higher adjusted odds of receiving antibiotics, while those with non-dental reason for visit and children (0–4 years) had significantly lower adjusted odds of receiving a prescription for antibiotics in EDs for NTDC visits. Children 0–4 years, adults 53–72 years and older adults (73 years and older) had lower adjusted odds (p<0.001) of receiving analgesics.

Conclusions

Nationally, analgesic and antibiotic prescriptions for NTDC visits to EDs have increased substantially over time. Self-pay patients had significantly higher odds of being prescribed antibiotics. Adults over 53 years and especially those 73 years and older had significantly lower odds of receiving analgesics in EDs for NTDC visits.