After hours presentation of traumatic dental injuries to a major paediatric teaching hospital

Abstract

Background: Thorough record taking of traumatic dental injuries is vital. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a structured paper history for this purpose. Furthermore, the aetiology and epidemiology of these injuries were investigated, with the aim of formulating appropriate preventive guidelines. Methods: A six-month audit of traumatic dental injuries presenting after hours was undertaken at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. A structured paper history form was subsequently created, and the data collected over the following 12 months. Results: Structured paper histories assisted in thorough record taking. Over 12 months, 190 paediatric patients (male: female ratio 1.5:1) were treated after hours with traumatic dental injuries. There were 396 injured teeth among 182 patients (eight patients had soft tissue injuries only). The mean number of injured teeth per patient with dental injuries was 2.18, the vast majority being maxillary central incisors (62% of primary teeth and 66% of permanent teeth). The most common cause was 'accident during play', followed by a fall. The severe injuries, avulsions and luxations, comprised 63% of injuries to primary teeth and 26% to permanent teeth. Conclusions: Structured paper histories are useful for recording traumatic dental injuries. The vast majority of these injuries are due to unavoidable accidents, rendering their prevention challenging from a public health perspective.

A review of the hours dedicated to oral health education in medical programmes across Australia

“…More Australians die of oral cancer than cervical cancer every year, making comprehensive screening of the oral cavity as important as cervical cancer screening . In addition, dental trauma and dental emergencies are commonly seen in hospital emergency departments around Australia, in which successful outcomes are highly dependent on the timeliness of correct diagnosis and management …”

Diagnosis and management of transverse root fractures

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] Some studies regarding the incidence of dental injuries have not reported any root fractures although it is not clear whether they did not occur or they were just not considered in the study design, such as retrospective studies in which only clinical examinations were performed and radiographs were not taken. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Some studies regarding the incidence of dental injuries have not reported any root fractures although it is not clear whether they did not occur or they were just not considered in the study design, such as retrospective studies in which only clinical examinations were performed and radiographs were not taken.…”

Children's oral health in Australia: The past decade's research agenda

“…A factor lacking research on both a family and community levels was physical safety. Dental trauma has been most frequently associated with falls and can also be due to assaults, animal attacks and lack of parental supervision . The prevalence and aetiology of dental trauma in children has been explored in international literature .…”

“…This domain is described by factors such as neighbourhood stability and safety. Unsafe community environments could lead to dental trauma, and previous studies have found dental trauma is more likely to occur during social activities on the weekend and school holidays . Similar to family composition, the association between social environment and physical safety could be investigated using national datasets assessing community environment and neighbourhoods…”

“…Dental trauma has been most frequently associated with falls and can also be due to assaults, animal attacks and lack of parental supervision. 31 The prevalence and aetiology of dental trauma in children has been explored in international literature. 32,33 Factors such as child activities and community environment influence the occurrence of dental trauma.…”