Neighborhood socio-economic context and emergency department visits for dental care in a U.S. Midwestern metropolis

摘要: Abstract Objective This study was to examine the association between emergency department (ED) visits for dental complaints and neighborhood socio-economic contexts of patients in a U.S. Midwestern metropolis. Study design A retrospective study. Methods Deidentified data ED period 2001–2010 from all facilities serving Kansas City, Missouri 2007–2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates were used determine odds visit by characteristics at ZIP code level. with diagnoses International Classification Disease 9th Revision codes related toothache or tooth injury included. included percent non-white population, median family income, population 25 years older least high school degree, language other than English spoken home. Each characteristic divided into quartiles. Chi-square tests two-level hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) conducted. In HLM, outcome variable whether have an (yes/no), first-level variables individual visits, second-level characteristics. Results The made 1,786,939 which 35,136 (1.9%) complaints. Among making complaints, 54.8% female, 51.9% younger adults aged 19–35 years, 48.7% non-Hispanic black, 35.5% self-pay as source payment. After controlling variables, HLM showed that risk significantly increased individuals residing Code Tabulation Areas lower higher proportion rather Conclusions examined, income home are important indicators