How Much Do Dental Problems Cost U.S. ERs Annually?
Posted on 6/10/2019 by Office
Researchers estimate that in the United States alone, visits to the emergency rooms for dental problems are on the rise. Estimates are that dental visits to the ER cost about $1.6 billion every year.
In addition, the average ER visit for a dental problem is $750. That cost is only if the patient receives outpatient treatment and isn't hospitalized for treatment. If a patient is hospitalized for treatment, the bills could run into the thousands.
What Happens When You Visit An ER for a Dental Problem
If you have a complication with your mouth, and you have no choice but to go to the ER, there is actually little doctors can do for you there. They can give you painkillers and antibiotics if you have an infection. But ER doctors do not have the training they need to be able to help you, because they look for problems in the body, rather than in the mouth. Dentists go through years of training to be able to properly treat your mouth.
If you go to the ER, expect to pay at least three times the cost of an ordinary dental visit. Over 40% of adults in the US have not been to the dentist in the last year. About 20% of children also haven't gone. That's too bad, because many of the problems, such as an infection, that can send you running for the ER can be treated quickly in a dental office. If a problem, such as a cavity, is fixed quickly, it is much cheaper for you in the long run, and saves the ER visit for times like the one where you thought cleaning the gutters was a good idea.
If you are concerned that you have a serious problem with one of your teeth, why not give us a call, and let us help you before you wind up in the ER?
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Researchers estimate that in the United States alone, visits to the emergency rooms for dental problems are on the rise. Estimates are that dental visits to the ER cost about $1.6 billion every year. 