Dental trauma in children presenting for treatment at the Department of Dentistry for Children and Orthodontics, Budapest, 1985–1999

Abstract

Data on children with dental trauma who presented for treatment at the Department of Dentistry for Children and Orthodontics in Budapest over a period of 15 years were analysed. The WHO guidelines were used to classify the traumatic injuries. A total of 590 children were involved, 810 teeth being affected. Children aged 7-14 years made up 88% of the cohort. The male:female ratio was 58:42. The permanent:primary ratio for the affected teeth was 90:10. The teeth most commonly affected were the maxillary central incisors. In 70% of the cases, only one tooth was traumatised. The incidence of dental trauma peaked at 10 years of age. The most common injury type observed was enamel-dentin crown fracture. The decreasing sequence of frequency of etiological factors was playing, sports, falls, cycling, road accidents and fighting. Of the accidents, 65% occurred at school or at home. Seventy seven per cent of the patients presented for medical care in the first 3 days after the accident.