Prevalence of Dental Visit Types for Very Young Children

Objectives: To assess prevalence of 1^st dental visit types for children under age 4 at a hospital-based pediatric dental clinic, and to compare the distance traveled for care based on the visit type.
Methods: A retrospective chart review (n=820) of an urban hospital-based Baby Dental Clinic was conducted. Children ages 0-3 ½ years of age were included and data was extracted from electronic health records of patients seen during 2011. Variables studied included demographic information, initial visit types (hygiene vs emergency visit), and distance traveled for care measured based on patient’s zip code.
Results: The average age for patients in the baby dental clinic presenting for initial hygiene visit was 2.3 ± 0.8 years and 2.4±0.7 years for those presenting for an emergency. Of those seen for initial hygiene appointment, 36% were African American and 34% were Caucasians. Of those seen for an emergency visit, 54% were Caucasians and 28% were African Americans. Of total visits to the baby dental clinic, majority (42%) was presented for an initial hygiene visit; only 28% of the visits were for an emergency. The average distance traveled for care by patients seeking emergency treatment was 31±87 miles compared to 19.5±25 miles for those seeking initial hygiene visits. Over half of all the patients (55%) traveled from Columbus city proper where the hospital is located. Of those presented for initial hygiene, 60% resided in Columbus. Less than half (46%) of those presented for emergency were residents of Columbus.
Conclusions: Many young children do not establish a dental home by age 1 as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Indeed for some, their first visit to the dentist coincides with an emergency visit possibly due to tooth ache or trauma.