Indagine sul profilo dell'utenza e sulla tipologia delle prestazioni erogate al Pronto soccorso odontoiatrico di un ospedale milanese

Objectives. To describe the treatments provided to patients searching dental emergency care at the Unità Operativa Odontostomatologia II of Azienda Ospedaliera San Paolo in Milan, Italy. Materials and methods. From May to August 2010, data were collected on the outpatients attending such service by means of a survey and a form. Results. Most patients complained of dental pain. The most frequent pathologies were of dental and periodontal nature. The most frequent treatments included radiographs, drugs prescription and tooth extraction. The 85% of the patients thought that dentistry is too expensive but only 35% would go more often to the dentist if it were cheaper. Conclusions. For those who do not regularly to the dentist, the cost might not be the main reason for their lack of oral health care.