Dental Emergencies in the U.S.: A Costly, Yet Preventable Crisis

As per the American Dental Association, number of Americans visiting the hospital emergency departments for dental pain is approximately 2 million people. Majority of these visits could have been addressed by local dentists and clinics.

These unnecessary ED visits cost our healthcare system an estimated $1.7 billion annually and often fail to address the root cause of the problem.

Emergency dental visits fall into two main categories: Traumatic (from physical injuries) and Non- Traumatic (often due to preventable issues). The most common dental emergency? A severe toothache—a condition that’s largely preventable with regular dental checkups and proper oral hygiene.

In 2019, there were approximately 1.8 million ED visits for Non-Traumatic Dental Conditions (NTDCs). While the number of visits has slightly declined in recent years, the costs have continued to rise. Adults aged 25–34 are the most likely to end up in the ER for dental issues, primarily due to lack of dental insurance or inadequate coverage. Rural residents, Medicaid recipients, and those earning under $48,000 annually are also disproportionately affected. Alarmingly, Black individuals are 44% more likely than white individuals to rely on the ED for NTDCs, underscoring persistent inequalities in access to care.

At Truth and Laughter Dentistry, we're acting through our Equity Initiative—specifically designed to support the 18–44 age group most impacted by this crisis. We offer a 15% discount on emergency dental procedures to those individuals lacking adequate dental coverage and a membership plan for affordable, routine dental care.

Don’t let a preventable toothache turn into an expensive emergency. If you're experiencing dental pain and lack coverage, reach out to us—we're here to help you get the care you need, when you need it most.