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Practice Management

104 - Pediatric Emergency Dental Visits in Hospital and Non-Hospital Clinics

Friday, May 22, 2026
1:20 PM - 1:35 PM PST
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Kenna T. Nguyen, DDS (she/her/hers)

    Pediatric Dental Resident
    NYU Langone Dental Medicine, Brooklyn, NY
    NYU Langone Dental Medicine, San Diego, CA
    San Diego, California, United States

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • MD

    Marie Beverly Dizon, MS, DDS

    Second Year Pediatric Dental Resident
    NYU Langone Dental Medicine, Brooklyn, NY
    University of Southern California
    San Diego, California, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • RB

    Ruth Bol, DDS MPH FICD

    Dental Director, Residency Program Coordinator Associate Director, NYU Langone AEPD-California site
    San Ysidro Health
    Chula Vista, California, United States

Abstract:

Background: Pediatric dental emergencies place a significant burden on families and health systems, disproportionately affect underserved children and those with special health care needs (SHCN). Pediatric dental residency clinics embedded within federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) play a critical role in providing emergency care, yet limited data exist comparing hospital-based and community-based residency settings.

Methods: This retrospective study reviewed 258 pediatric emergency dental visits at a residency-based clinic within an FQHC in San Diego, California. Patients aged ≤16 years were seen in a hospital-based clinic (HBC) or two non–hospital-based clinics (NHBCs) following clinic relocation. Demographic, medical, and dental variables were extracted from electronic health records. Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses compared patient characteristics and care patterns across settings.

Results: Most patients were insured by Medi-Cal (95%) and resided within San Diego County (88%). Nearly half (46%) had at least one SHCN, exceeding national estimates. The most common reasons for presentation were odontogenic pain due to caries or abscess (31%) and eruption or exfoliation concerns (28%). Same-day treatment was provided for 33% of patients, while 30% required referrals. Demographic and clinical characteristics were largely comparable between HBC and NHBCs, with minor differences in gender distribution, dental home documentation, preferred language, and recall status.

Conclusions: Pediatric dental residency clinics serve medically complex and underserved children across both hospital and community settings. Consistent emergency care delivery following clinic relocation highlights the essential role of residency programs in addressing access gaps and reducing reliance on emergency services.




Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: This retrospective study was approved by the NYU Langone Institutional Review Board (STUDY i24-01844) and the San Ysidro Health Research Review Committee (STUDY #RHP-022025-196).