Annual Probability of a Dental Emergency

Approximately 2 million emergency room visits per year in the United States are for dental conditions, representing about 5% of the adult population experiencing a dental emergency annually. Dental ER visits cost the healthcare system about $2.7 billion per year, despite the fact that ERs can typically only provide pain management and antibiotics rather than definitive dental treatment.

The most common dental emergencies include severe toothache (about 40% of dental ER visits), dental abscess (about 25%), broken or knocked-out teeth (about 15%), and post-extraction complications (about 10%). Many dental emergencies result from untreated dental disease: about 26% of adults have untreated tooth decay, and lack of dental insurance (about 74 million Americans lack dental coverage) is a major contributing factor.

Dental ER visits are more common among lower-income individuals, those without dental insurance, and those living in areas with limited access to dental care. Weekend and evening hours account for a disproportionate share of dental ER visits due to the limited availability of after-hours dental care. A dental emergency kit at home should include dental wax, temporary filling material, over-the-counter pain relievers, and the contact information for an emergency dentist.