Dental Care for Children with Complex Chronic Conditions

Official Title: Characteristics of Pediatric Patients Receiving In-Patient Dental Procedures in Children’s and General Hospitals: An analysis of national data
Research Lead: Kari Hexem, M.P.H.
Study Team: Chris Feudtner, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., Dingwai Dai, Ph.D., Jane Kavanagh, Rochelle Lindemeyer, D.M.D., Andres Pinto, D.M.D., M.P.H.
Supported By: The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Pediatric Advanced Care Team
Dates: December 2010-June 2011

Background

Dental health is an important component of overall pediatric health and well-being. The provision of dental care improves dental health. While most dental care is provided in an outpatient setting, both general and pediatric hospitals perform pediatric inpatient dental procedures. Little is known about the demographic and clinical characteristics of pediatric patients receiving these services.

Aims

• To describe the prevalence and characteristics of pediatric patients receiving dental procedures in pediatric and general hospitals.

Methods

Study Design: Cross-sectional analysis using 2006 Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID). ICD 9 Diagnostic codes were used to identify dental and non-dental diagnoses associated with pediatric in-patient dental procedures, and the analysis was stratified by hospital type (pediatric and general) and admission type (ER and non ER admission). The effect modification was assessed by age at admission, gender, location, income, insurance, and length of stay.
Population: Children and teenagers between the ages of one to 17 years old.