Pattern of traumatic dental injuries in children attending the University Dental Hospital, Sri Lanka.

AIM The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of traumatic dental injuries in children seeking care at the Division of Paediatric Dentistry, the Dental Hospital, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. MATERIAL AND METHODS The sample consisted of patients attending the Division Paediatric Dentistry, University Dental Hospital for traumatic dental injuries between February 2003 and May 2006. The data were collected by means of an interviewer administered questionnaire to parent/guardian and a clinical examination. RESULTS A total of 197 children aged between 2 and 17 years had sought treatment for 304 traumatized teeth. Half of the patients had sought treatment more than 1 month after the trauma occurred. The most frequent cause for dental trauma was a fall (89%) whilst compromised aesthetics was the most common reason for seeking care (48%). Maxillary central incisors were the most affected teeth. Of the permanent teeth, 49% had sustained uncomplicated fractures involving only the enamel and dentine. Pulp therapy ranging from pulpotomy to root canal treatment was the treatment of choice for most of the traumatized permanent teeth (46%). In the deciduous teeth, a fracture involving enamel, dentine and the pulp was the most common (35%). CONCLUSIONS As there was a considerable delay in seeking care for these injuries, it is recommended that educational programs be conducted for parents to create awareness about the importance of immediate management of traumatized teeth.