Diagnosis and treatment of dental trauma in a children's hospital.

Abstract

A comprehensive review of 487 emergency dental trauma visits seen at a children's hospital during a 3-year period was performed to investigate aspects of trauma care that have not been previously reported. Patient characteristics, diagnoses, and injury treatment were analyzed. General patient characteristics and diagnoses were consistent with other studies. Young children were often injured in falls within the home whereas older children were often injured in sports and activities outside the home. The emergency visit was the first contact with the dentist for 80% of children 3.5 years old and younger. Maxillary incisors accounted for 84% of primary tooth injuries: examination and extraction were common treatments. Maxillary incisors accounted for 87% of permanent tooth injuries: bandage restorations and splint placement were frequent treatments. An assistive restraint device was used most often for children 4 years and younger who required extractions. The restraint was used more frequently during clinic hours with support staff present than after hours with a sole provider. Hospital facilities were not essential for treatment of the patients in this study.

• Authors: S Lombardi, B Sheller, B J Williams
• Journal: Pediatric dentistry (Pediatr Dent) 1998 Mar-Apr Vol. 20 Issue 2 Pg. 112-20 ISSN: 0164-1263 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9566015 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Accidental Falls (statistics & numerical data)
• Accidents, Home (statistics & numerical data)
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Age Factors
• Athletic Injuries (epidemiology)
• Bandages (statistics & numerical data)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Dental Care for Children (statistics & numerical data)
• Emergencies
• Female
• Hospitals, Pediatric (statistics & numerical data)
• Humans
• Incisor (injuries)
• Infant
• Jaw Fractures (diagnosis, epidemiology, therapy)
• Male
• Maxilla
• Restraint, Physical
• Retrospective Studies
• Splints (statistics & numerical data)
• Tooth Extraction (statistics & numerical data)
• Tooth Injuries (diagnosis, epidemiology, therapy)
• Washington (epidemiology)