Dental emergencies best avoided all together

When a sensitive tooth erupts into full-blown pain in the middle of the night, where can you go for relief? The time to ask that question is before you experience a dental emergency.

University Medical Center spokespeople estimate that approximately 700 dental-related cases fill the Clark County-run emergency room each year with complaints of toothaches or dental pain.

“The (hospital) emergency department is a poor source of dental treatment unless the symptoms are life-threatening,” said local oral maxillofacial surgeon Ted Twesme in a recent email interview.

Life-threatening symptoms, such as a compromised airway caused by severe swelling or a sudden spike in temperature, which can indicate a systemic infection, require immediate assessment in the emergency department, Twesme said.

“The best source of emergency dental care for severe pain is your regular dentist, who can assess your symptoms and provide appropriate dental treatment,” said the oral surgeon with more than 35 years of experience.

Besides the loss of ability to chew without pain, poor oral health can have far-reaching consequences. Current research continues to strengthen the link between periodontal (gum) disease and ailments including heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes.

So why do so many people see a dentist only when they are in pain?

Fear, procrastination and lack of financial resources lead the list of reasons. Many people use the excuse of not having dental insurance as a major reason for not going to a dentist.

Dental insurance benefit allowances have not changed substantially since their inception in the 1970s. Policies may include a monthly premium, decuctible, co-payment and exclusion for pre-existing conditions with a yearly benefit limit allowance of $1,000 to $1,200. Depending on the policy, the number of dental providers may be limited, with only a percentage of the actual treatment cost paid for by insurance.

There are some lower-cost dental treatment options available in Las Vegas.

“Investing in oral health often takes a back seat to spending money on other things,” said Rick Thiriot, associate professor in residence of Clinical Sciences and co-associate dean for Clinical Services at UNLV’s School of Dental Medicine.

The UNLV dental school donates $3.8 million in free services each year to underserved children, veterans making less than $25,000 annually with no insurance and homeless teens and adults. For the general public, the school offers discounted services performed by students and supervised by the faculty during the school year.

The dental hygiene program at the College of Southern Nevada offers discounted fees on a range of preventive services performed by students and supervised by faculty. Patients are considered for their suitability as teaching cases, which involve multiple three- to four-hour appointments. All patients are required to be seen by their own dentist yearly. CSN also has a dental faculty practice staffed by licensed dentists.

The nonprofit Huntridge Teen Clinic offers initial X-rays, dental cleanings, sealants and oral health education to uninsured, underserved and at-risk youths ages 12-18, who are ineligible or unable to otherwise obtain care. A $20 fee is charged for each visit but may be reduced or waived according to the patient’s ability to pay. Dental work is provided by volunteer dentists and UNLV School of Dental Medicine students. Homeless teens are seen by licensed public health dental hygienists one Saturday every month.

Eastern Family Medical and Dental Center is part of Nevada Health Centers, a federally qualified community nonprofit health center that offers preventive and restorative dental services to all people, including those on Medicaid and those who are uninsured or underinsured, through a sliding fee schedule based on proof of income.

According to Dr. Tyree Davis, dental director of the center, “If you focus on prevention, the costs are a lot less than if you focus on (emergency) care.”

The traditional advice of brushing, flossing and seeing your dentist and dental hygienist yearly is the recognized way to avoid the trauma of tooth loss resulting from years of neglect.

“The key is, really, just go see your dentist on a regular basis,” Davis said. “There is no better way to prevent emergencies than to go on a regular basis; there just isn’t.”

For more information:

UNLV School of Dental Medicine, Shadow Lane campus, 1700 W. Charleston Blvd. For appointments: 702-774-2400. Emergencies: 702-774-2457 or 702-774-2458

CSN Dental Hygiene Program, 6375 W. Charleston Blvd. For appointments: 702-651-5510

Huntridge Teen Dental Clinic, 2100 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 5. For appointments: 702-575-0866.

Eastern Family Medical and Dental Center, 2212 S. Eastern Ave., Phone: 702-735-9334