Dental practice closures during COVID-19 led to a rise in emergency room (ER) visits for dental problems in children, according to researchers from the New York University (NYU) College of Dentistry.
Even after New York dental offices reopened in May 2020, ER visits for dental problems remained elevated among Medicaid-enrolled children. Families with young children struggled to access dental care, adding strain to overwhelmed hospitals, according to a press release dated March 11 from NYU.
Researchers analyzed Medicaid claims from 2018 to 2020 and found the surge was highest among children under 9, who visited ERs twice as often in early 2020. Common issues included cavities, infections, and abscesses, while dental injuries were excluded.
Often, parents had trouble identifying true emergencies, and many Medicaid-covered young children lacked a regular dentist. Researchers suggest that hospitals offer emergency dental services or integrate urgent dental care clinics to reduce ER burden.
Expanding Medicaid dental access may prevent severe dental issues and improve emergency care options. Strengthening dental care access is necessary for future public health crises, according to the release.
