Prevalence of Traumatic Dental Injuries among Blind School Children in South Karnataka

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Traumatic Dental Injuries (TDI) is emerging as an important dental cause of public health concern. Visually impaired children are more prone for these injuries. Proper approach to the management requires knowledge about the extent, distribution and associated risk factors of this specific condition. So, the study was done to assess the prevalence of TDI among students of blind school in Shivamogga town, Karnataka, India. Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in a total of 80 students of 5 to 16 years age group. All students were divided into partially blind and totally blind groups based on WHO criteria for definition of blindness. Data were collected through WHO oral health survey form and clinical examination regarding gender, age, number of teeth injured, lip coverage, maxillary overjet and pattern of teeth injury. Collected data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS software. Result: The prevalence of dental trauma in the present study was37.5%. Anterior teeth only were injured in this study. Children with maxillary overjet & inadequate lip coverage had more dental injuries. Enamel fracture was the most common type of fracture recorded. None of the children had undergone any dental treatment for their injuries.