Background: Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) in children and adolescents have become one of the most serious dental public health problems. Despite of Its high prevalence, very less attention has been paid to TDIs, its etiology, and prevention.
Aim: The present study was carried out to identify prevalence and risk factors of TDIs to permanent anterior teeth in children aged from 8 to 12 years old in Dakahlia governorate.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of six months, 7983 children of age 8-12 years were examined from 38 primary schools in Dakahlia which were selected by multistage random sampling in both urban and rural areas. Data was collected through clinical examinations and Andresen criteria as the diagnostic criteria were used in the study.
Results: The prevalence of TDIs was 14.6% (1166 children); boys (17%) experienced more injuries than girls (12.3%). TDIs were more common in ≥ 12 years old (19.5%) followed by 11-12 years old (19%) group. Single tooth fracture was the most common (75%), maxillary central incisor was the most affected tooth (88.8%) and enamel fractures were the most frequent lesions (80.1%). Falls were the main cause of trauma (38.3%) in both sexes. School (46.1%) & home (30.2%) were the most common places. Surprisingly the majority of TDIs were untreated, only 5.7% (67) were treated. In 1.03 % of patients a dental color change was observed. Twenty eight point nine percent (337) of the patients came to the dentist for treatment and 23.2% (270) were sent home with symptomatic treatment. TDIs were more common in children with combinations of Angle´s class II (16.6%), overjet >4 mm (23%) and in-adequate lip coverage (23%). Public schools showed higher trauma prevalence than private schools. There was a significant association between TDIs and “type of occlusion, overjet, lip coverage, crossbite, gender, age & school type''. No association was found between the presence of “openbite, district & residence" and TDIs.
Conclusions:The results of this study showed the need of informing about preventive measures against falls at school and home and the methods of providing 1st aid in TDIs.