Visits to US emergency departments by 20- to 29-year-olds with toothache during 2001-2010.

Background: Visits to emergency departments (EDs) for dental symptoms are on the rise, yet reliance on EDs for dental care is far from ideal. ED toothache visits represent opportunities to improve access to professional dental care.

Methods: This research focuses on 20- to 29-year-olds, who account for more ED toothache visits than do other age groups.

Washington state foster care: dental utilization and expenditures.

Objectives: To identify factors associated with dental utilization and expenditures for children enrolled in Washington State (WA) foster care (FC).

Methods: This cross-sectional study used 2008 Medicaid enrollment and claims files for children ages <18 years enrolled in the WA FC program for ≥11 months (N = 10,177). Regression models were used to examine associations between utilization and expenditures and sex, race, age group, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (i.

The dentist's role in promoting community water fluoridation: a call to action for dentists and educators.

Background And Overview: Community water fluoridation is an important public health intervention that reduces oral health disparities and increases the health of the population. Promotion of its safety and effectiveness is critical to maintaining its widespread acceptance and ensuring its continued use. Dentists are a potentially important source of knowledge regarding the oral health benefits and safety of water fluoridation.