Retrospective evaluation of patients admitted to Karadeniz Technical University Pediatric Dentistry clinic due to trauma

PURPOSE: Traumatic dental injuries are among the commonly observed problems in the primary and permanent teeth. The rate of prevalence of dental trauma varies globally. In this study, we investigated the type of dental trauma, related factors, and treatment procedures in children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: During a 5-year period (January 2011–January 2016), 416 children aged in the range of 1–15 years were admitted to our clinic with dental trauma. The cause and type of the dental trauma in the primary and permanent teeth and their relation with gender and age were evaluated using the chi-square test, and their distribution by age was evaluated using regression analysis. RESULTS: Overall, girls and boys comprised 37% and 63% of the study population, respectively. The mean age was 8.5 years. Falls (61.1%) were the most common cause of traumatic dental injuries, and enamel–dentin fracture (26%) was the most common dental trauma type. CONCLUSION: Traumatic dental injuries in children are common. A large proportion of patients without any clinical symptoms (15.8%) did not seek any treatment after the trauma. Teachers, parents, and children should be informed about the action to be taken when dental trauma occurs and about the importance of immediately taking the child to a dentist after the trauma to ensure an accurate diagnosis, an optimal treatment plan, and positive outcome.