Evaluation of primary teeth affected by dental trauma in patients visiting a university clinic, Part 1: Epidemiology

Abstract

Objectives: The retrospective study reported herein was the first of three that investigated dental trauma in primary teeth. This article discusses the study that aimed to reveal the epidemiology of trauma with data such as prevalence, risk factors, and types of injuries, and to highlight prevention.

Materials and methods: The records of 320 patients aged 0-9 years who visited the Erciyes University Faculty of Dentistry Pedodontics Department due to dental trauma were evaluated according to the age, gender, medical condition, season, oral habits, trauma environment/type/cause, personal characteristics, and number of siblings. The chi-square test was used to compare the categorical variables by group.

Results: Of the patients, 25.9% were aged 24-35 months at the time of study, 62.8% were male, 38.1% had two siblings, 37.2% had a sucking habit, 93.4% had a healthy medical condition, 41.3% experienced the trauma in summer, and 26.3% were aged 30-34 months at the time they incurred the trauma. Of the traumas, 54.1% were caused by falling, 60% occurred at home, 23% pertained to lateral luxation, and 70% were incurred when the patients were with their mother.

Conclusion: Given the results of this study, mothers with low education levels should be informed about their children's risk of incurring injuries from falling at home, especially in summer. Parents should also be warned that their children's oral habits increase their risk of trauma.

Clinical relevance: This study can help increase the knowledge level of clinicians, can raise social awareness, and can guide plan formulation for preventing risks.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Primary teeth; Risk factors; Trauma.