Prevalence of traumatic dental injury in grade 8 children in six Ontario communities.

OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of traumatic injury to the anterior dentition in Grade 8 children in six Ontario communities. METHODS Clinical examination of 3,010 children attending a stratified random sample of 66 schools in the communities served by 6 Ontario Public Health departments. Trauma to the hard tissues was classified according to the Trauma Index. RESULTS Damage to the anterior dentition was observed in 18.5% of those examined. Unrestored fractures of the enamel were present in 13.0%, with more severe damage or damage sufficiently severe to have been treated being present in 5.9%. Of those with the more severe injuries, 20% had not received treatment. The prevalence of injury was higher in males than in females (21.3% vs. 13.4%: p < 0.0001) and varied across the six communities studied (10.7-29.4%: p < 0.01). There was an association between dental decay experience and traumatic dental injury. Those with more severe injuries had higher mean Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) scores and were less likely to have a DMFT score of zero than those without injury (p < 0.01). DISCUSSION The prevalence of traumatic dental injury in this Ontario child population was similar to those reported in national surveys in the US and UK. The association between injury and dental decay may reflect the fact that a subgroup of children live within environments or are prone to behaviours that place them at greater risk of multiple oral disorders. In order to provide a basis for prevention, further research needs to be undertaken to identify the causes of and the personal and environmental risk factors for such injuries in Ontario children.