TABLE 1—

Number of Visits to Boston Medical Center Emergency Department for Dental Reasons, by Year: Boston, MA, 2007–2012

Variable	Mean 2007, 2008, 2009	2010	% Change From 2007, 2008, 2009	2011	% Change From 2007, 2008, 2009
Total	5546	5637	+2	6317	+14
Female	2892	3033	+5	3322	+15
Male	2654	2604	−2	2995	+13
Age group, y
21–34	2410	2484	+3	2496	+4
35–44	1252	1161	−7	1291	+3
45–54	1052	1074	+2	1299	+24
55–64	487	547	+12	729	+50
≥ 65	346	371	+7	502	+45
Race/ethnicity
Black	2905	3054	+5	3457	+19
Hispanic	1068	1039	−3	1197	+12
Other	431	444	+3	432	0
White	1142	1100	−4	1231	+8
Insurance
Charity	627	753	+20	865	+38
Commercial/private	929	896	−4	896	−4
Medicaid/Masshealth	2649	2592	−2	2909	+10
Medicare	830	751	−9	938	+13
Missing	537	578	+8	645	+20
Other	75	67	−10	64	−14
Diagnosis group
Broken tooth	132	111	−16	148	+12
Caries	203	245	+21	360	+77
Cellulitis/osteomyelitis	379	315	−17	332	−12
Headache	2465	2707	+10	3097	+26
Other inflammation/infection	158	151	−5	149	−6
Other tooth-related problems	74	60	−19	89	+20
Periodontal disorders	1675	1570	−6	1605	−4
Pulpal pathology	632	601	−5	666	+5
Soft tissue pathologies	87	76	−12	127	+47