Therapeutic and economic implications of traumatic dental injuries in Denmark: an estimate based on 7549 patients treated at a major trauma centre.

Abstract

To analyse the type and extent of injuries presented by patients seeking treatment for traumatic dental injuries at a major trauma centre. Furthermore, to analyse acute and subsequent treatment demands and treatment costs. A therapeutic and economic analysis was performed of 7549 patients treated for traumatic dental injuries in a major trauma centre located at the University Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark. Cases were divided into uncomplicated (concussion, subluxation, enamel and enamel-dentine fractures) and complicated cases (crown fractures with exposed pulps and crown-root fractures, luxation injuries with displacement of the tooth and bone fractures). Primary tooth injuries were found in 2874 patients, involving 5443 teeth, among which 62.8% had complicated injuries. Permanent tooth injuries were found in 4525 patients, involving 10,673 teeth, among which 40.4% had complicated injuries. The cost of treatment (including acute trauma service, follow-up and subsequent restoration) was estimated to be 0.6-1 mill USD a year for the patients treated in this trauma centre. If this figure is transferred to the estimated trauma population in Denmark, a yearly cost of traumatic dental injuries appears to range from 2 to 5 mill USD per 1 mill inhabitants per year according to the treatment scenario. Thus, treatment of traumatic dental injuries comprises an expensive part of the health services in Denmark.