Traumatic injuries of permanent teeth among 6- to 12-year-old Iraqi children: a 4-year retrospective study.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this retrospective study was to identify the types, causes, and other factors associated with traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) in the permanent teeth of children in Mosul, Iraq.

METHODS

Data were collected from the dental records of 6- to 12-year-old children with TDIs who attended the Pediatric Dental Clinic at the Mosul University School of Dentistry between October 2006 and October 2010. The gathered data included: demographic information, when and where the injury occurred, type of dental injury, cause of injury, and the time elapsed between the TDI and dental care. Data were evaluated using the chi-square test.

RESULTS

A total of 294 children with TDIs were examined and treated. The highest frequency of TDIs was among 12-year-old children (29%), with more males being affected (P<.001). The most common type of injury was enamel-dentin fracture (56%). The most frequent cause of TDIs was falls (53%). The majority of the injuries happened outdoors (55%), and 37% of the cases occurred in the Fall. Only 5% of patients sought dental care within 24 hours of the injury.

CONCLUSION

This 4-year retrospective study showed that the majority of children with TDIs sought dental treatment after one month of the injury. Educating parents and teachers about the benefits of trauma prevention and immediate treatment of injuries is a must.