ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In France, few hospitals are able to provide uninterrupted care for dental emergencies. To meet the legal and deontological requirements, since October 2007, the Brest University Hospital has set up a dental emergency unit with on call consultants. Prior to this set-up, the needs had been evaluated through surveys conducted in Brest hospital. This study deals with the results of these surveys, and reports the experience of this call emergency service after 1 year of operation. METHODS: The needs of the general population concerning emergency dental care were quantified in three units of Brest hospital (general, pediatric and ENT emergencies) for 6 months and the mobile emergency unit (Samu 29) for 1 year. The findings led to setting up an emergency dental unit during week-ends. The activities of this unit after 1 year of operation were evaluated retrospectively. Variables concerning attendance and activity level, patient parameters and out-of-hours emergency activity were studied. For this purpose, data from the medical record and from complementary "information sheets" completed by the clinicians were analyzed. RESULTS: The preliminary step of needs-quantification recorded an important demand for dental service in both emergencies units of Brest hospital and Samu 29. During the first year of operation, attendance level was on average 6.3 (+/-4.3) consultations per week-end. Peak activity levels were reached on saturday and sunday afternoons and also during the summer months. Male patients were more numerous than females and the mean age of the population was 32.6 years (+/-17.6). By decreasing order of frequency, the diseases encountered were mainly infectious, then trauma-related, inflammatory and others. Clinical interventions were mainly in endodontics, conservative dentistry and surgery. CONCLUSION: This on call emergency service meets the needs of the general population concerning emergency dental care when hospital dental departments and regular dental offices are closed. This is a public health issue.