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Special Health Care Needs

145 - Highest Acuity Pediatric Dentistry: Oral Disease Burden in Hospitalized Children

Friday, May 22, 2026
2:40 PM - 2:55 PM PST
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Rachael M. Sells, DMD (she/her/hers)

    Pediatric Dentistry Resident
    The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
    The Ohio State University and Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
    Columbus, Ohio, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Paul S. Casamassimo, DDS, MS

    Professor Emeritus
    The Ohio State University/ Nationwide Children's Hospital
    The Ohio State University
    Columbus, Ohio, United States

  • David O. Danesh, DMD, MPH, MS (he/him/his)

    Adjunct Assistant Professor
    The Ohio State University / Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
    The Ohio State University, College of Dentistry
    Columbus, Ohio, United States

  • JP

    Jin R. Peng, MD, MS. PhD

    The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital

  • RS

    Riya Saini, MS

    Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • AK

    Ashok Kumar, DDS, MS

    Associate Professor
    The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
    Columbus, Ohio, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • Kimberly J. Hammersmith, DDS, MPH, MS

    Associate Professor
    The Ohio State University/ Nationwide Children's Hospital
    The Ohio State University and Nationwide Children's Hospital
    Columbus, Ohio, United States

Abstract:


Purpose: Review demographics, and medical and dental needs of hospitalized medically complex children (MCC) requiring dental consultations at a children’s hospital.



Methods: A retrospective electronic record review of MCC dental consultations requested by medical services at Nationwide Children’s Hospital between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2024, included demographics, admitting service, medical diagnoses, medications, oral findings, and dental treatment rendered. Dental treatment type was used as a proxy for caries burden and categorized as surgical, non-surgical, or preventive. Descriptive analyses were performed.



Results: During the 6-year study period, 1,915 inpatient dental consultations were completed with males predominating (1054/55%) and overwhelmingly Medicaid-funded (1,500/78%). Consultations included ages 0-42 years, mean age 10 years. Children under 5 years old accounted for one quarter (526/27%) of consults rendered. About 1 in 10 were non-English speaking. Consultation requests were primarily from Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant (31%), Infectious Diseases (17%), Surgery (13%), Hospital Pediatrics (9%), and Psychiatry (5%). Volume was consistent across months in the study period (high 39, low 10 monthly; mean 28 ± 6 per month). More than 700 patients required evaluation/treatment under general anesthesia. Surgical dental interventions were frequently required, reflecting advanced unmet oral health needs, particularly among MCC.



Conclusions: MCC in this study demonstrated substantial oral health needs, frequently requiring invasive dental treatment while admitted. MCC tend to be low income, primarily 0-5 years old and systemically fragile, requiring advanced behavior guidance techniques. The medical complexity and various medications affect oral health and care delivery.

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