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  • Title: Preventive service utilisation as a predictor for emergency dental examinations.
    Author: Powers LJ, Grana JR, Keen ND, Hanchak NA.
    Journal: Community Dent Health; 2000 Mar; 17(1):20-3. PubMed ID: 11039626.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: To quantify the relationship between receipt of routine dental care and the use of non-trauma related emergency dental services. DESIGN: A multiple logistic regression was run on administrative dental claim and encounter data. The model dependent variable was the use of non-trauma related emergency dental care. Predictors included previous year oral examinations, radiographs, dental cleanings and, as a control, member age. SETTING: Administrative data were obtained from a dental health maintenance organisation located in the state of Texas. SUBJECTS: Claim and encounter data for 2,947 insured members were used, representing experience from 1995 through 1996. OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome of interest was the use of non-trauma related emergency dental services. RESULTS: Results demonstrated empirically that those who availed themselves of preventive dental services were significantly less likely to use non-trauma related emergency services (P<0.01). The probability of needing non-trauma related dental services in 1996 was 42.7% lower among those who had an examination in 1995 when compared with those who did not. When analysed in a simple logistic regression, dental cleanings in 1995 were also significantly associated with a decreased probability of needing non-trauma related emergency services. However, this relationship did not hold in the controlled model, which was probably due to multicollinearity. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence of the value of periodic preventive dental examinations and services. Those who receive such services are less likely to use non-trauma related emergency dental services.
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