U.S. emergency department admissions for nontraumatic dental conditions for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Abstract

The authors hypothesized that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) are more likely to have an emergency department (ED) admission for nontraumatic dental conditions (NTDCs). The authors analyzed 2009 U.S. National Emergency Department Sample data and ran logistic regression models for children ages 3-17 years and adults age 18 years or older. The prevalence of NTDC-related ED admissions was 0.8% for children and 2.0% for adults. Children with IDDs were at increased odds of NTDC-related ED admission, but this difference was not statistically significant (odds ratio [OR] = 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.91, 1.23). Adults with IDDs had significantly lower odds of an ED admission for NTDCs (OR = 0.49; 95% CI = 0.44, 0.54). Children with IDDs are not at increased odds of NTDC-related ED admissions, whereas adults with IDDs are at significantly reduced odds.

Keywords: access to dental care; adults; children; dental care; emergency department; intellectual and developmental disabilities; nontraumatic dental conditions.

Figure 1

Prevalence peaks of NTDC-related ED admissions.