Avoidable emergency department presentations for dental comorbidities of psychiatric disorders: A population-based record-linkage analysis

Background: Indigenous peoples and those from non-Caucasian, poorer or rural backgrounds are at greater risk of emergency department (ED) presentations for non-traumatic or avoidable dental conditions. There is no information on people with mental illness. Objective: To compare avoidable dental ED admissions in psychiatric patients with those of the general population over 2 years. Methods: A population-based record-linkage analysis across state-based facilities in Queensland, Australia. Avoidable dental ED presentations were defined using ICD10 codes K02.9, K04.7, K05.0, K08.8 and K12. Results: There were 1,381,428 individuals in the linked database, of whom 657,933 (47.6%) were male. Of the sample, 177,157 (13%) had a history of contact for mental health problems and 22,046 (1.5%) had at least one avoidable dental presentation. The most two common were unspecified disorders of teeth or supportive structures (n = 10,184) and periapical abscesses (n = 7970). After adjusting for confounders, those who had ever needed psychiatric treatment were 72% more likely to experience an avoidable dental presentation (95% = 1.65–1.79; p < 0.0001). Other significant independent risk factors were lower income, rurality and Indigenous status. Within the inpatient psychiatric group, those with substance use or personality disorders had the highest risk of avoidable presentations. Conclusions: In common with other marginalised groups, psychiatric patients have increased avoidable presentations. Possible clinical interventions could include an increased emphasis on oral health assessment in primary health care and early dental referral. Dental education and service planning should consider this population's needs including easier navigation of services, availability outside normal office hours, and free outreach dental clinics.