Dental injuries in Norwegians aged 7-18 years

Abstract

- In this prospective study, baseline information regarding trauma to permanent teeth is presented. The aim of the study was twofold: to increase the knowledge of dental injuries in young Norwegians and to examine whether a rise in the number of dental trauma had occurred during the last 10-15 years. Both an urban and a rural area were included, constituting 12% of the 7-18-year-olds living in the country. A total of 1275 children in this age group suffered dental injuries in the capital city of Oslo and in the rural area of Nord-Trøndelag during a 1-year registration period. The children were examined by calibrated dentists in the public dental health service. The service offers regular, free recalls, and 98% of the children attend. The dental injuries were classified according to WHO's classification system. The dental trauma incidence found was 1.8% (2.0% in Oslo and 1.3% in Nord-Trøndelag). Nearly 50% of the children were in the age group 8-10 years. Ninety-seven per cent of the accidents involved the incisors, and the minor trauma dominated. Age and gender were predisposing factors. Boys were nearly twice as often injured as girls and this difference increased with age. No increase in the annual frequency of dental injuries was observed.