Regional variations in dental disease related hospitalizations

This study utilizes the National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) Public Use Data File for the years 2000 to 2007. The unit of analysis is the dental health related hospitalizations. The specific list of ICD-9 codes(521.0-529.9)were selected based on the literature and provide a basis for hospitalizations most likely to reflect preventable dental problems or those related to lack of regular dental care. A multivariable logistic regression analysis and correspondence analysis is carried out to identify the regional variation. Of the total sample size, there were 9427(3.83%) dental health related hospitalizations. Hospitals in the northeast were more likely to see dental diagnosis related hospitalizations (p<0.0001). Hospitals with more than 500 beds were 2.3 times more likely to have dental diagnoses related hospitalizations (p<0.0001). Government and not for profit organizations were 1.6 and 1.13 times more likely to have dental diagnoses related hospitalizations. The correspondence analysis indicated that the uninsured population is more likely to visit government hospitals in West or Northeast regions than those in South and Midwest. Studies show that many individuals, especially those lacking access to traditional dental services, will continue to seek care from hospitals and physicians directly. Many hospitals do not provide dental services and, therefore, do not provide definitive treatment for dental problems. Future studies are needed to evaluate the adequacy of the treatment of dental problems by non-dentist providers. Potential policy implications should be geared towards focus on provision of alternative options for seeking emergency dental care in the United States and prevent unnecessary hospitalization.