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Patient Management

236 - Follow-up Treatment after Oral Antibiotics for Emergency Department Dental Conditions

Saturday, May 23, 2026
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM PST
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • AV

    Adriana Velez, DDS

    Pediatric Dental Resident
    Boston University, Boston, MA
    Boston University
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • MC

    Mary Nell Cella, DDS, CAGS

    Clinical Instructor, Pediatric Dentistry
    Boston
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States

  • Christine Chiao, DMD, MPH, CAGS

    Clinical Assistant Professor
    Boston University
    Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States

  • Jane Hendrickson-Rebizant, DMD

    Resident, Pediatric Dentistry
    Boston University
    Boston University
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • Christine Chiao, DMD, MPH, CAGS

    Clinical Assistant Professor
    Boston University
    Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • KD

    Keri Discepolo, DDS MPH

    Program Director, Pediatric Dentistry
    Boston University
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Abstract:

Purpose: Conservative antibiotic use is encouraged in pediatric dentistry; however, children presenting to emergency departments (EDs) for dental complaints may receive oral antibiotics without systemic infection or definitive treatment (e.g., extraction), raising concern for loss to follow-up. This study assessed follow-up patterns and definitive treatment after ED antibiotic prescriptions.



Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients aged 0–22 years who presented to the Boston Medical Center ED from October 2018 to June 2023 and were prescribed oral antibiotics for a dental complaint. Outcomes were categorized as no follow-up, follow-up without definitive treatment, follow-up with definitive treatment, or same-day definitive treatment. Variables included age group, presence of special health care needs, THRIVE social risk screening, and dentition. Chi-square tests with Yates correction were used; Fisher’s exact test was used for dentition.



Results: Among 81 patients, 38% had no follow-up, 20% had follow-up without definitive treatment, 33% completed follow-up with definitive treatment, and 9% received same-day definitive treatment. Definitive treatment was more common among Medicaid patients than non-Medicaid patients (47% vs 9%; P=0.04). Patients aged ≥8 years were more likely to receive definitive treatment than those < 8 years (60% vs 34%, P=0.051). No significant associations were found for dentition type, gender, race/ethnicity, language, special health care needs, or THRIVE social risk.



Conclusions: Most pediatric patients prescribed oral antibiotics in the ED did not receive definitive dental treatment. Insurance status and age may influence treatment completion, emphasizing the need for referral pathways and ED protocols that facilitate definitive dental care.

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