Pediatric maxillofacial and dental trauma: A retrospective review of pediatric emergency management in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: Due to the high prevalence of oral and maxillofacial (OMF) trauma in city of Riyadh, a special focus on pediatric trauma is needed. The purpose of this audit was to assess the protocol followed by the OMF unit at King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH) on pediatric trauma patients. The trauma incidence, mechanism of injury, volume, the type of pediatric trauma operated and dental management were analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quantitative retrospective review of 223 patients, at pediatric emergency unit of KKUH, Riyadh, KSA from January 2017 to July 2018, was done. The data retrieved included variables such as, age, gender, and cause of injury, site of injury, type of injury, and assessment of jaws, and teeth. Data regarding the type of investigations, treatment protocol, follow up visit, and dental management, were extracted from the medical records. RESULTS: Of the 223 pediatric patients presenting to the emergency unit, 116 (52%) were under the age of 5 years. A total of 64.4% of patients reported “self-fall” as the cause of injury. Soft-tissue injuries were common in 63 (56.8%) of patients in the form of lacerations 87 (41.2%). Involvement of the teeth in the injury was observed in 57 patients, in which 33 (57.9%) patients were reported to have tooth/teeth avulsions, 15 (26.3%) patients had luxation and 9 (15.8%) patients had crown fractures. 27 (47%) patients were referred to the pedodontist for a follow-up visit. CONCLUSIONS: It can concluded that clinicians facing maxillofacial trauma in an emergency department need to have access to useful and practice guidelines. The study also showed the need for more manpower-oriented training such as a pedodontist and a general dentist to join the OMFS team to manage pediatric patients. The regional referral hospitals should be equipped to decentralize the management of these patients to the Dental University Hospital.