The number of Americans relying on emergency dental care has been increasing. This “toothache epidemic” worries many due to its implications, ranging from a decrease in Americans’ oral health to the accessibility of Americans to regular dental care.

The Surge in Emergency Dental Visits

The American Dental Association (ADA) reported that between 2002 and 2012, the number of visits to the ER for dental issues rose from 1.1 million to 2.2 million. An increasing number of Americans rely on emergency dental treatment for related problems. Studies also show that nontraumatic dental conditions are treated increasingly using emergency dental care, with the cost of such treatment increasing as well. These results are worrying, not just because of the increasing need for this type of care coupled with its growing costs, but also as an indication of the dental health of many Americans. It also reflects the access to healthcare many Americans have and their ability to pay off medical debts (DrBicuspid). 

Emergency dental care costs more than nonemergency care and offers fewer treatment options. Emergency rooms (ER) are generally not staffed by dentists and only offer pain relief and medicine for issues such as infected gums. This lack of proper dental care causes many of these issues to resurface, making emergency dental care both more expensive and less efficient when it comes to nontraumatic dental issues (National Nurses United). 

Emergency vs Non-Emergency Dental Care

Non emergency dental care, or regular dental care, is a type of dental care that involves routine check-ups. The routine check-ups can range from dental examinations to professional cleanings to dental x-rays. Dental examinations are regular inspections of your teeth to identify any common cavities or issues with your teeth that require work. Professional cleanings essentially remove any plaque or tartar from your teeth using specific dentistry equipment. Dental X-rays are done when assessing the health of your teeth by identifying any issues not readily observable by a physical exam (MedlinePlus). 

Emergency dental care is dental care required for a dental emergency. A dental emergency can be anything that requires immediate medical attention. Some examples are:

• Broken or knocked-out teeth
• A painful toothache or jaw pain that won’t go away
• Bleeding and/or Pain Following a Tooth Extraction
• Bleeding gums

Causes Behind the Increase

There are multiple causes behind this phenomenon. One such cause is the financial situation of millions of Americans. Since the 2008 financial crisis, many Americans have had to cut back on products and services such as dental care, ignoring necessary routine check-ups and serious conditions such as cavities. 

Another issue is low Medicaid reimbursements for dentists. In a study by the American Dental Association, in 2024, the average Medicaid reimbursement rate for child care services was 66.6% of the private dental reimbursements for child care services. The average Medicaid reimbursement rate for adult care services was 49.8% of the private dental reimbursements for adult care services. Low reimbursement rates lead to a decreasing number of dentists involved with Medicaid. 

There is also a shortage of dentists available in rural areas. According to a study conducted by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), in 2022, 4,633 of the 6,927 Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) were in rural or partially rural areas, which is about 66.9% of all HPSAs (Rural Health Info). There are many reasons for this shortage, ranging from an unwillingness of providers to work in these areas due to better opportunities elsewhere to a large number of dentists retiring. While there are multiple reasons, this shortage also contributes to the issue of increased ER use for dental problems in our country (National Nurses United).

How to Address the Crisis

There can be multiple solutions to the problem. Expanding Medicaid to more Americans would have some effect since it would include dental benefits. Ensuring dentists are reimbursed more by Medicaid would also help attract more dentists into the Medicaid program. However, many of these solutions would take time and effort to solve, with political and economic concerns often making it hard to realize them. Other solutions take a more immediate approach to the issue, focusing on what specific ER centers and dental services can do in particular communities to help solve the problem. 

The Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) suggests that having quality referral programs for patients present at Emergency Dental Rooms can help those receive definitive dental care. While there is no universal model yet known for these programs, there are examples throughout many states that have shown results in this endeavor. One such state is Michigan, where they implemented a “pay-it-forward” system, which operated for five years. This program referred individuals in the Emergency Department (ED) to private practicing dentists in the community who offered to provide treatments in their offices. These individuals receiving treatment paid for these services by providing community service to non-profit organizations. As a result, not only did ED visits for dental issues decrease by 72% over these five years, local hospitals saved more than $6 million (ASTDD). 

If you are dealing with dental issues and are looking for an emergency dentist in Orange Park, make sure to contact Jax Cosmetic Dentist. We offer urgent appointments and treat a variety of emergency dental conditions, such as toothaches, knocked out teeth, oral infections and more. We also provide services for nontraumatic dental issues as well. We accept mo

st major dental insurances and also offer convenient self-pay options. Our friendly and competent staff is here to help you through a dental emergency.