Dental Emergencies in Urgent Care: Management Strategies That Improve Outcomes (Trauma CME, Pain Management CME, Infectious Disease CME, and Pharmacology CME)

Points & Pearls Excerpt

• The most common diagnosis for dental pain is pulpitis from caries. Pain without any stimulus (ie, touch) is likely irreversible pulpitis, which can lead to a periapical abscess.
• Localized periapical abscess in an adult can be treated with incision and drainage by a frontline clinician.
• Although still commonly prescribed for pulpitis, there is no evidence that antibiotics are beneficial in its treatment. Patients with simple gingivitis benefit from better routine oral hygiene, not systemic antibiotics.
• Pericoronitis should be treated with chlorhexidine rinses; however, a randomized trial showed that green tea was just as effective.
• All patients with subluxation, luxation, or avulsion injuries should be prescribed chlorhexidine rinses and maintain a soft diet.