181 - Patterns in Pediatric Dental Emergencies in the BronxCare Emergency Department

Purpose: To determine trends and statistics in pediatric dental emergencies in the BronxCare Health System pediatric emergency department. By knowing the characteristics of these trauma patients, dental care providers will be more aware of the factors that precipitate these injuries and be better able to handle them.

Methods: Data was collected via retrospective chart review covering a five-year period from January 2016 to December 2020. ASA I-II children under 11 years were included. From Dentrix and the emergency dental trauma log, demographics and trauma traits were obtained. These included: gender, age (0-3 years, 4-7 years, 8-11 years), type of trauma (dental, non-dental, both), month and season of emergency, and follow up rates. Three hundred ninety-three of 436 subjects were eligible for this study.

Results: Most common type of emergency was laceration with lip as the highest location. Ages 0-3 and 4-7 years had nearly equivalent visits with 39% and 38% respectively. Males had a higher incidence of ED visits compared to females. Most frequent ED visits were in July. Overall follow-up rate was 67% with the highest follow up rate being lacerations at 55%.

Conclusions: In the Bronx, many ED dental visit are due to lacerations. When children present to the ED after sustaining a head and neck injury, the oral area should always be examined. Establishment of a dental home is key.