Characteristics of Dental-Related Hospital Admissions in Michigan, 2009-2010

Untreated dental disease can significantly impact systemic health and may result in costly hospitalizations. Methods: Hospital discharge data from the Michigan Inpatient Database were assessed to determine the prevalence, characteristics, and charges resulting from preventable non-traumatic dental-related hospitalizations in Michigan over a 2 year period. Primary diagnosis ICD-9-CM codes (520.0-529.9) were used to identify dental hospitalizations and were stratified into preventable (521.0-523.9, 525.0-525.9, 528.0-528.9) and unpreventable admissions. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine independent factors associated with preventable vs. unpreventable dental admissions. Results: There were 1978 dental-related hospitalizations annually during the 2 year period accounting for 0.15% of all hospital admissions in Michigan. Half (56.4%) were under 45 years old, 53.3% were women, 73.8% were white, and 45.3% had government insurance while 8.8% paid out-of-pocket. Half of all annual dental admissions were preventable (49.9%). Annual charges for dental-related hospitalizations were over $25 million and over $9 for preventable hospitalizations. Adjusted odds ratios showed that age, sex, insurance type, place admitted from, admission type, and discharge disposition were significant independent factors associated with preventable vs. unpreventable dental admissions. Discussion: Approximately 1000 annual preventable dental-related hospitalizations in Michigan accounting for over $9 million could be avoided by regular dental care and treatment. Efforts should focus on increased access to preventive dental care for groups with greater odds of preventable dental admissions.