Abstract
There have been very few clinical studies reviewing dental examinations and treatments requested by emergency medical facilities. We studied 125 patients who were referred for the evaluation and treatment of oral diseases to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Tokyo Women's Medical University Medical Center East by the Department of Emergency Medicine between January 2000 and December 2005. The study group comprised 82 males (65.6%) and 43 females (34.4%). The age range was 1 to 89 years (average, 40.2±19 years), with a peak in the third decade. As for orofacial disease, 85 patients (68%) had maxillofacial injuries, 22 (17.6%) had dental caries and marginal periodontal disease, and 4 (3.2%) had denture problems. As for treatments, 23 patients (18.4%) received maxillofacial fracture osteosynthesis, 18 (14.4%) had teeth extracted, 10 (8%) were treated for dental caries, and 37 (29.6%) were only examined. As for general complications, 87 patients (69.6%) had multiple traumas, 13 (10.4%) had emergency diseases involving the central nervous system, and 7 (5.6%) had conditions requiring emergency treatment. Emergencies due to respiratory disease and digestive disease were present in 6 patients (4.8%) each. There are many serious cases of oral disease and associated problems in emergency medical facilities. Dentists should participate in providing emergency care.
