An emergency dental service for students: 4-year findings.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the arrangements for the provision of emergency dental services for students at the University of Manchester and to report data collected during the first four and a half years of the student emergency dental services (SEDS) unit based at the University Dental Hospital of Manchester.


METHODS
Data pertaining to every student attending SEDS since its inception were collected by means of questionnaire including provision to record diagnoses, treatment needs and the emergency care provided.


RESULTS
The incidence of dental emergencies within the student population served by SEDS has been found to be 39 emergencies per 1000 students per annum, with the service being most heavily used by overseas students. Caries, pulpal pathology and failed restorations account for 46 per cent of the presenting emergencies, with pericoronitis (19 per cent) and other emergencies of periodontal origin (14 per cent) being common place.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that a student emergency dental service may be found to be an important element of student medical and related welfare services.
Sinclair
J
J
Turner Dental School, University Dental Hospital of Manchester, UK.
Wilson
N H
NH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology; D003788:Dental Pulp Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003796:Dental Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007393:International Educational Exchange; D008297:Male; D010497:Pericoronitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D010512:Periodontal Index; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013333:Student Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data