In a nationwide survey study, most emergency department patients with dental diagnoses were prescribed antibiotics that were probably not indicated.
Most dental complaints that prompt an emergency department (ED) visit do not require antibiotics. These authors reviewed the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) from 2011 to 2015 to estimate national rates of ED dental visits and antibiotic use.
Overall, 1.6% of all ED visits were for dental complaints (representing approximately 2.2 million visits nationwide). Of these, 65% (representing approximately 1.4 million patients) had an antibiotic prescribed, with roughly 90% of prescriptions being for narrow-spectrum penicillins or clindamycin. Antibiotics were prescribed significantly less often for children (23%) than adults (69%) and for patients with private insurance (62%), Medicaid (60%) or Medicare (58%) than for thos…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresRoyaltiesUpToDate
Grant/Research SupportEunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; MINDSOURCE
Editorial BoardsThe Quarterly Update: Reviews of Current Child Abuse Medical Research; Child Abuse & Neglect: The International Journal
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesThe Helfer Society (Executive Committee Member)
DisclosuresRoyaltiesUpToDate
Grant/Research SupportEunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; MINDSOURCE
Editorial BoardsThe Quarterly Update: Reviews of Current Child Abuse Medical Research; Child Abuse & Neglect: The International Journal
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesThe Helfer Society (Executive Committee Member)