Can I go to the Emergency Room for a Dental Emergency?

In the midst of an emergency, the first place you may think to go is your local hospital’s emergency room! But what should you do if your accident is a dental emergency? Unfortunately, many hospitals do not have a dentist on staff or on call; therefore, the treatment you would receive in an emergency room will be limited. The hospital staff may prescribe the patient antibiotics and/or pain killers, but they will be told to seek a professional oral health care provider or dentist. Seeking a dentist following your visit is crucial because the antibiotics and painkillers are short-term and should only last you until you can receive complete and long term treatment.
Best case scenario, avoid going to the emergency room for dental emergencies unless it’s extremely necessary. Should you go to the ER, you will not be seen by a dentist, you won’t be given a diagnostic or remedy for treatment, and the visit could cost you a lot of money. Depending on your insurance, a visit to the ER could cost you way more than a dental exam! The average ER visit typically costs a whopping $1233.00 in comparison to a $50 dental exam! That’s a pretty hefty difference with a dental exam giving you the most benefits in the midst of your oral emergency.
If you do not already have a primary oral care provider, knowing what to do in a dental emergency can be tough; however, there are plenty of avenues to pursue to get you the help and treatment you need! Many dental offices have emergency services. For example, we at Wells Family Dentistry in Raleigh, NC offers same day emergency appointments to better service you at the most convenience!
So if you’re experiencing a dental emergency or dental pain, you can call their office, and they’ll have you scheduled that day to see a dentist. So, to save you money while receiving care by a professional dentist, it’s highly recommended to seek oral health care professions for any and all dental emergencies. Leave the emergency room for other bodily emergencies… it could save you thousands, literally.