Epidemiology of Traumatic Dental Injuries in Children and Adolescents - A Review

BACKGROUND Every child is prone to traumatic injuries, the impact of these injuries is directly related to the intensity, force and direction from which the trauma is inflicted. Trauma to the oral cavity is rather more common in children and adolescents as compared to the adult population. Since dental trauma is unanticipated, instantaneous and accidental, it often needs immediate and emergency management, depending on the severity of the injury. Thus, it is tremendously important to understand the patterns of incidence, prevalence, aetiology and risk factors associated with traumatic dental injuries. This article aims to review the epidemiology, incidence, prevalence, aetiology, risk factors and current trends of traumatic dental injuries in children and adolescents. The aetiologic factors vary among countries and within different age groups. The risk of sustaining traumatic dental injuries is generally dependent on several elements like age, circumstance, geography, behaviour and culture. Changing lifestyle especially related to urbanisation has led to amplification in the prevalence of dental trauma. The emergence of new trends in the modern society has led to creation of newer patterns and risk factors for the same. Traumatic dental injuries are linked to biological, social, financial and psychological factors. This article provides an overview on the epidemiology of traumatic dental injuries. This topic is of public health importance. This review is important to understand the underlying risk factors in order to reduce the prevalence and incidence of dental trauma. Educating the public regarding this will reduce the incidence of dental trauma. KEY WORDS Dental Trauma, Aetiology, Risk Factors, Epidemiology, Prevalence, Prevention, Paediatric Dentistry