Evaluation of prevalence, etiological and risk factors of traumatic dental injury in 12-14 years old school going children of Central India

Abstract

Aim: Traumatic dental injury (TDI) in school children has become a serious dental public health problem in developing and developed countries. Worldwide research clearly shows that the prevalence of TDI is increasing. However, hardly any epidemiological data of TDI in central India is available for clinical audit, service management, planning of future services, and effective targeting of preventive measures. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and to evaluate the risk and etiological factors associated with TDI. Materials and Methods: A total of randomly selected 2000 boys and girls aged 12-14 years were included from 20 randomly selected schools. Two calibrated examiners examined the school children under day light using the World Health Organization, (1978) classification of tooth fracture. Examination was done for competent and incompetent lip and overjet using community periodontal index probe. Children were interviewed for demographic profile and history of injury. Result: The prevalence of TDI is found to be 10.5%. Boys experience more injury than girls; 11.61% and 9.47%, respectively. The result showed a positive association between risk factors (overjet more than 5 mm and inadequate lip coverage) and TDI. Maxillary central incisors were commonly injured involving enamel fracture. The major cause of TDI was fall, followed by sports and violence. Conclusion: Children with overjet >5 mm and inadequate lip coverage were more likely to have TDI. There is a need to collect local data on TDI to obtain a more comprehensive picture of dental health.