Repeated Use of Emergency Departments for Nontraumatic Dental Conditions: Factors Associated With Being a Superutilizer

Individuals seeking ED care for NTDCs four or more times in a year are more likely to be white, have insurance coverage through Medicaid, Medicare or to be uninsured, and have one or more medical comorbidities. Cost of care for superutilizers is also considerably higher than for other ED visitors. Expansion of dental services for adults, particularly those on Medicaid, is needed to ensure they can access timely preventative and restorative services and avoid the burden of dental crisis requiring a visit to the ED.