274 - Limited Exams Leading to Establishment of Dental Home

Abstract:

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find what percentage of the patients coming to the East Carolina School of Dental Medicine (ECU SODM) pediatric clinic initially for limited exams between 2017 and 2023 established this as their dental home.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was completed in which data was collected on the percentage of patients who established their dental home at ECU and the potential reasons if they did not. Dental home establishment was defined as having a comprehensive exam and one periodic exam six months after. Patients’ zip codes, payment methods, ages, and the dates of first emergency appointments were collected.

Results: There were 1,101 patients included in this study, and 21% of these patients returned to make ECU their dental home. The mean age of children establishing a dental home with ECU was 7.0 years and the mean age of those coming for emergencies only was 8.5 years. Patients on Medicaid, those coming from further away, and younger children were all significantly more likely to make ECU their dental home. COVID did not impact the likelihood of the patient making ECU their dental home.

Conclusion: The results showed that there was a low return rate for comprehensive care in these patients. This study provides insight into characteristics of the pediatric patient population seen at the ECU SODM. It also potentially provides broader insight into patient populations in dental schools across the country who see a large Medicaid population.

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