Prevalence of traumatic dental injuries to permanent incisors among 12-year-old school children in Davangere, South India.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and factors associated with traumatic injuries to permanent incisors of 12-year-old school children in Davangere, India.

METHODS: In total, 1020 12-year-old school children were selected. Two trained and calibrated clinicians examined the children in the school environment using the World Health Organization Classification of Tooth Fracture (1978). Examination was also done for lip coverage and maxillary overjet using the Community Periodontal Index probe. Children were then interviewed using a structured questionnaire for demographic data and history of the injury.

RESULTS: The overall prevalence rate of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) to permanent incisor teeth was 15.1%. The prevalence of TDI was higher in boys compared to girls. The major cause of TDI was falling followed by collision. The maxillary incisors were commonly injured, involving mainly enamel fracture. Children with excessive overjet and inadequate lip coverage were more likely to have injuries.

CONCLUSION: TDI could be a serious dental public health problem among children. Thus, there is an urgent need to collect local data on dental injuries in order to obtain a more comprehensive picture of dental health.