Management of dental emergencies amongst Australian general medical practitioners – A case‐vignette study

Abstract

Background In Australia, because of inequity in dental service accessibility and affordability, patients can see general medical practitioners (GPs) for acute dental conditions. Methods This cross‐sectional study consisted of surveys distributed to the board registered GPs practising in Australia. The main outcome measures included statistical analysis of GPs managing different dental emergency scenarios and their confidence and expectations in managing dental emergencies. Results A total of 425 GPs participated in the study. The sample primarily consisted of GPs practising in metropolitan clinics (n = 315). Most participants reported that they would refer to the dentist for mobilized tooth (n = 402). There was a negative correlation between GPs with 5–29 years of experience and traumatized tooth management (P < 0.05). GPs aged between 40 and 49 years were more inclined to treat patients with mobilized teeth [Multivariate (MV): 0.42(0.09–0.74)]. However, GPs with 0–5 years of experience were less likely to manage patients with dental abscess [MV: −0.52(−0.80 to −0.24)]. Conclusion Most GPs referred dental emergencies to dentists. GP management of dental emergencies were predominantly palliative. Therefore, opportunities for collaborative practice models amongst GPs and dentists may be needed to bridge the gap in the regional and remote locations.

Perceptions of general practitioners towards managing dental presentations in Australia: a qualitative study

“…However, multiple studies have shown that GPs tend to prescribe antibiotics as treatment for dental conditions (Anderson et al 2000;Cope et al 2015;Nguyen et al 2023). An Australian case-vignette study of 30 GPs who worked in rural Queensland, Tasmania and South Australia between 2013 and 2014 showed that GPs tend to prescribe antibiotics and short-term pain relief for dental conditions, including toothaches, dental abscesses and acute orofacial pain (Park et al 2022). Furthermore, they reported that costs of travelling to the dentist also discouraged patients from seeking dental care.…”