Journal article
Characteristics of Patients Seeking Comprehensive Versus Urgent Dental Care at a University Dental Clinic
Journal of dental education
03/03/2026
DOI: 10.1002/jdd.70193
PMID: 41776986
Abstract
Purpose/Objectives
To compare characteristics of patients seeking comprehensive versus urgent care at a university dental school clinic, particularly regarding self-reported history of primary care provider (PCP) visits in the previous year.
Methods
In this retrospective chart review, electronic data were collected from patients seen at the admissions clinic between 2016 and 2021. Patients were dichotomized based on their choice of comprehensive care (CC) versus urgent care (UC). Univariate, bivariate, and multivariable statistical analyses were conducted.
Results
Among approximately 28,000 patients, 57% sought CC while 43% sought UC. From 2016 to 2021, the proportion of patients seeking CC increased steadily from 52% to 63%. In multivariable analyses comparing patients who chose CC versus UC, the variables most strongly associated with being in the UC group were: not having seen a PCP in the year prior to the dental appointment (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.52–1.83), being 25–44 years old (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.08–1.36), being self-pay (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.27–1.57), having blood pressure values in the prehypertensive, Hypertensive I, or Hypertensive II stage (OR = 1.25, 1.47, 2.05 respectively; 95% CI = 1.13–1.38, 1.28–1.68, 1.52–2.76, respectively), and being obese Class III (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.25–1.70).
Conclusions
Patients who sought urgent care were more likely to report not having seen a PCP in the previous year compared to patients who chose CC, after controlling for important confounding variables. Possible clinical and educational implications are discussed.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Characteristics of Patients Seeking Comprehensive Versus Urgent Dental Care at a University Dental Clinic
- Creators
- Alberto Gasparoni - University of Iowa, Dental Clinic AdministrationTabitha Peters - University of IowaDaniel J Caplan - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of dental education
- DOI
- 10.1002/jdd.70193
- PMID
- 41776986
- NLM abbreviation
- J Dent Educ
- ISSN
- 1930-7837
- eISSN
- 1930-7837
- Publisher
- WILEY
- Grant note
- College of Dentistry, University of Iowa
This work was made possible thanks to internal funding from the College of Dentistry, University of Iowa. Mr. Charles McBrearty assisted with data acquisition, and Dr. Julie Reynolds provided helpful suggestions during manuscript preparation.
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 03/03/2026
- Academic Unit
- Preventive and Community Dentistry; Oral Pathology, Radiology and Medicine; Dental Clinic Administration
- Record Identifier
- 9985141985302771
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