In 2011, more than 84,000 Ohioans used a hospital's emergency room (ER) to receive treatment for dental pain and suffering, according to a new report from the Universal Health Care Action Network Ohio (UHCAN Ohio).
More than 19,000 patients went to an Ohio ER with a cavity, more than 12,000 had an abscess or abscesses, more than 4,600 had broken teeth, and an incredible 47,770 had what were termed "dental disorders," according the report.
The cost for treating oral health issues in the ER is more expensive than treating these issues in a primary care setting, the report states. According to statistics cited from the Ohio Department of Health, in 2010 and the first half of 2011, dental treatment in ERs cost $188.5 million and ER visits with a primary dental diagnosis cost more than $58 million.
By payor code, in 2011, more than 35,000 patients used Medicaid, another 6,600 used Medicare, almost 1,400 were considered charitable cases, and almost 41,200 patients paid on their own.
The report prominently notes that Ohio has 84 federally designated dental health professional shortage areas (HPSAs). These HPSAs may be urban or rural areas, population groups, or medical or other public facilities where there are too few dentists to serve the population. The report notes that there may be other communities that meet this definition but have not yet applied for this recognition.
UHCAN Ohio is a statewide nonprofit organization working for high-quality, accessible, affordable healthcare for all residents.
