Objective: The purpose of this study was to look retrospectively, at hospital dental clinic records to determine the rate of follow-up care for patients seen after-hours in a hospital Emergency Department (ED) for dental trauma. A secondary aim was to survey the parents/guardians of the trauma patients to identify predictors and barriers for seeking follow-up care after receiving treatment in a hospital ED.
Methods: This retrospective study examined dental clinic records of patients who were treated at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) ED for dental trauma. A quality assurance survey was conducted with the parents of these patients to determine barriers and predictors for follow-up treatment.
Results: Seventy-five percent of patients treated in ED returned for at least one follow-up, 37.1% of patients received the recommended follow-up treatment at NCH. Patients averaged 2.5 follow-up visits at NCH and 87% of patients reported retention of the injured tooth.
Conclusions: Further research is needed to find ways to improve patient compliance of dental trauma follow-up.