Challenges connecting emergency department patients with oral health care: A qualitative analysis of patients, emergency department clinicians, and dentists.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Unmet dental need shares many risk factors with unmet health-related social needs (HRSN) such as housing and food security and are a common cause for seeking treatment at the emergency department (ED).

Methods

The authors recruited a purposive sample of English-speaking and Spanish-speaking patients, ED clinicians at 3 urban EDs, and dentists from nearby communities to participate in qualitative interviews to explore barriers to and facilitators of screening for HRSN and unmet dental needs in the ED. Themes were identified from transcripts using a modified grounded theory approach.

Results

Interviews were conducted with 25 ED patients, 19 ED clinicians, and 4 dentists. Four themes were identified: (1) a preference for formalized resources, which more freque

SUBMITTER: Simon L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10823431 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature