Providing Dental Services in the Hospital Setting
Patients present to an acute care facility for many reasons, including emergency care, admission for ongoing treatment, surgical care, and—with surprising frequency—dental care needs. The American Dental Association (ADA) estimates that every year, 2 million patients visit emergency departments (EDs) for care that could be provided in dental offices.1
Patients may seek emergency care because dental services are unavailable. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) data, 58 million Americans live in areas with limited access to dental care. Existing and projected shortages of dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants exacerbate access to care challenges.
When asked, patients often identify the cost of dental care as a barrier. A 2020 report of medical expenses indicated that patients were spending much more out of pocket for dental care (37 percent) than for physician (7 percent) and hospital care (12 percent) combined... Read the full article here