Traumatic dental injuries among schoolchildren in Valencia, Spain

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of the present study was to identify some factors related to the occurrence of dental trauma in mixedand permanent dentition.Design of the study: Over a period of two months 1325, 6 to 18 year olds from three primary schools in Valenciawere examined. Data was collected through clinical examinations and interviews and their Dental trauma wasclassified according to IADT´s criteria. Results: The prevalence of dental injuries was 6%; boys aged between12-18 years old experienced more injuries than girls. There was a statistical difference between the types of fractures.Non complicated coronal fractures were the most frequent (9.18%). Games were the main cause of trauma(40%) in both sexes. In 14.3% of patients a dental colour change was observed. Angle´s class I was the most frequentin traumatized injured children (41.2%).Conclusions: The present study revealed a relatively low prevalence of dental trauma, but this figure still representsa large number of children. Therefore, educational programs are to be initiated for the community regardingcauses , prevention and treatments of traumatic dental injuries (AU)