Epidemiological data and relevance of care provided in dental emergency service of a private hospital

Resumo

The aims of this study were to
determine the etiology and prevalence of dental emergency visits in
a private hospital in the period from July 2009 to July 2011 and
the importance of this type of service in private hospitals. Material
and methods: During the study period, we analyzed 795 charts
from patients seeking emergency services. The emergencies were
classified as trauma, odontalgia, prosthesis, periodontal diseases,
and traumatic factors. Results: Women and men accounted for 61%
and 39% of cases, respectively, and the most prevalent age group was
individuals aged 20 to 49 years. The predominant types of dental
emergencies observed were odontalgia (52.58%) and dental trauma
(22.64%). Pulpitis was the most common pathology (67% of cases)
and the most frequent type of trauma was enamel and dentin fracture
(54% of cases). Conclusion: A high demand for dental emergency
care exists in hospital settings. Most people seek emergency dental
services for emergencies related to lack of prevention and dental
traumas.