title: A prospective survey of hospital ambulatory dental emergencies. Part 1: Patient and emergency characteristics.
abstract: Part 1 of this study describes the dental disorders and patient characteristics of 253 patients who presented as dental emergencies to the University Hospital dental clinic, Vancouver, BC, during a three-month period. Most patients had a true perception of what constitutes a dental emergency. Dental pain was the predominant reason for seeking help, and the pain existed for more than seven days prior to contact in more than 50% of patients. Patients were not always able to identify the number and location of painful teeth, and a perceived low cost for treatment was a major reason for contacting the hospital. Reliability of emergency patients in keeping scheduled appointments was very high. Almost 69% of patients did not see a dentist regularly. Referrals to the hospital dental service were most numerous in the summer months. Diagnosis of the complaints revealed infection to be the cause of pain in 76.7% of patients.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Dentistry, University Hospital-UBC Site, University of British Columbia.
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Blasberg
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003796:Dental Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004630:Emergencies; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012647:Self-Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D014098:Toothache / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy