A cross-sectional study was carried out in children and adolescents of both sexes, aged 1-15 years that sought dental emergency attention to the Regional Hospital between 2004 and 2007 in Temuco, Chile. The purpose of this study was to identify the aetiology, types of traumatic dental injuries in primary and permanent dentitions, sex and age distributions, accident location; and time elapsed before emergency treatment in children and adolescents. The sample consisted of 359 patients with 145 primary teeth and 525 permanent teeth affected by dental trauma. The results showed a 2:1 male:female ratio distribution (242/117) with a mean age of 8.4 years. The 7- to 12-year-old group had the highest frequency of dental injuries (66.6%). Unspecific accidental falls were the main cause of injury to primary and permanent dentition (51.8%), followed by striking teeth against objects (15.6%) and bike accidents (13.9%). In primary dentition the most common diagnosis were subluxation (38.6%) and avulsion (16.6%), whereas in permanent dentition was uncomplicated crown fracture (32.9%). A high proportion of the patients received their first emergency attention 24 h after the accident (32.6%). This study revealed a high frequency (37.9%) in 1-15 aged population that sought emergency attention by dental trauma in the period of time study. A large proportion of children with dental trauma received delayed first emergency care, even 24 h after the accident. Considering the high frequency of traumatic dental injuries in 1-15 aged population and the high percentage of delayed emergency attention is necessary to develop effective educational campaigns in regard to causes, prevention and emergency management of traumatic dental injuries, especially in deprived areas. In conclusion, traumatic dental injury may be considered as a serious dental public health problem especially in children of deprived areas.

Objectives: Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) in childhood and adolescence are a potential public health problem given their prevalence and consequences. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of TDIs on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of preschoolers and schoolchildren, by synthesizing the available evidence.Methods: A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, ScieLo and Lilacs databases since January 1966 until March 2016. The included studies compared OHRQoL between groups with and without TDIs, using validated instruments. The selection process and data extraction were carried out by two researchers independently. A third reviewer resolved discrepancies. Methodological quality was assessed with the Effective Public Health Practice Project's Quality Assessment Tool. Meta-analyses were performed using random effect models, separately for preschoolers and schoolchildren.Results: Of 213 identified articles, 26 studies (involving a total of 4582 patients and 13 601 controls between the ages of 1 and 15 years) met the inclusion criteria.Most of the studies had been published in the last 5 years, and their methodological quality was judged to be moderate. The TDIs group had a significantly higher chance of reporting any impact on OHRQoL than controls for both preschoolers (OR = 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28-1.63; I 2 = 0%) and schoolchildren (OR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.04-1.66; I 2 = 70%). In preschoolers, the OR for OHRQoL impact for complicated vs uncomplicated TDIs was 1.53 (95% CI: 1.04-2.26;The social domain was the most affected one in schoolchildren (standard mean difference = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.55; I 2 = 68%). Conclusion:Traumatic dental injuries have a negative impact on OHRQoL of both preschoolers and schoolchildren. Outcome standardization to measure OHRQoL impact, such as mean score differences and cut-off points, is needed. Prospective cohort studies are recommended to confirm these findings and to understand how TDIs' impact changes with time. K E Y W O R D Sadolescent, child, preschool, quality of life, tooth injury

The majority of the respondents were not knowledgeable regarding TDI or the management and benefits of timely care, particularly in cases of avulsed permanent teeth. Therefore, formal education and training on the topic is suggested during undergraduate studies.

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