Prevalence estimates and outcomes of mental health conditions in those hospitalized owing to dental conditions

Abstract

Objective: Identify characteristics of individuals with mental health conditions who use hospital resources to manage dental conditions.

Study design: Data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for the years 2007 to 2010 were used. All hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of dental conditions were selected. Hospitalizations with secondary diagnoses of mental health conditions were identified.

Results: During the study period, 67,517 hospitalizations were primarily attributed to dental conditions. Of these, 12 080 also involved a mental health condition. The most frequently prevalent mental health conditions were mood disorders (9.9% of dental hospitalizations) and anxiety disorders (3.9%). The mean age of those with a mental health condition was 47.7 years (37.7 years for those without mental health conditions). A greater proportion of those with a mental health condition had Medicare coverage compared with those without a mental health condition (39.4% vs 17%). Those with mental health conditions also had a higher comorbid burden.

Conclusions: When individuals with mental health conditions are hospitalized for a dental condition, they are more likely to be older and sicker and to use more hospital resources. Better preventive care may benefit patients and health care budgets.