The aetiology of dento-alveolar injuries and factors influencing attendance for emergency care of adolescents in the North West of England

The aims of the study were to determine the main aetiological factors involved in injuries to anterior teeth and to identify factors influencing the attendance for emergency care. This information is essential, first, for planning dental health education programmes aimed at reducing the incidence of dental trauma and, second, to devise strategies for its effective treatment. Of 2022 schoolchildren examined for evidence of dental trauma, 696 (34%) had experienced injury and were interviewed regarding this injury. Of these, 403 knew about their damaged front tooth, but only 330 recollected the incident causing the injury. Over one third of accidents occurred at home and a further 25% at school. The most common cause of injury was falling onto a hard surface or object (34%) with accidents involving bicycles or other sporting activities accounting for a further 30%. Factors found to be significantly related to attendance for emergency care were experience of pain, unattractive appearance of the injured tooth and social classification, with children from higher income, more affluent areas being more likely to seek treatment. The majority of dental injuries were the result of genuine accidents which were almost impossible to prevent. This study highlighted the need for attention to be brought to parents, children, lay people and health care professionals that all dental injuries should be examined by a dentist, not just those injuries resulting in pain or poor aesthetics.