Children’s oral health: implications for emergency and urgent care pathways

This literature review explores barriers to children's access to routine NHS dental care in the UK and the factors contributing to preventable presentations to emergency and urgent care. Evidence from the seven included studies identified four main themes: socioeconomic deprivation, vulnerable populations, service availability, and parental disengagement and limited oral health education. The findings suggest that poor access to routine dental services is shaped by structural and social inequalities rather than individual factors alone. Children who are looked after, autistic or otherwise vulnerable may experience additional barriers to timely and appropriate dental care. These inequalities contribute to avoidable emergency presentations for conditions that could often be prevented or managed earlier in primary dental settings. The review highlights implications for emergency nursing practice, including recognising unmet need, considering possible safeguarding concerns, communicating sensitively with families, and supporting earlier intervention and signposting to appropriate services.