Jaime Díaz

Dental injuries among children and adolescents aged 1-15 years attending to public hospital in Temuco, Chile

A cross-sectional study was carried out in children and adolescents of both sexes, aged 1-15 years that sought dental emergency attention to the Regional Hospital between 2004 and 2007 in Temuco, Chile. The purpose of this study was to identify the aetiology, types of traumatic dental injuries in primary and permanent dentitions, sex and age distributions, accident location; and time elapsed before emergency treatment in children and adolescents. The sample consisted of 359 patients with 145 primary teeth and 525 permanent teeth affected by dental trauma. The results showed a 2:1 male:female ratio distribution (242/117) with a mean age of 8.4 years. The 7- to 12-year-old group had the highest frequency of dental injuries (66.6%). Unspecific accidental falls were the main cause of injury to primary and permanent dentition (51.8%), followed by striking teeth against objects (15.6%) and bike accidents (13.9%). In primary dentition the most common diagnosis were subluxation (38.6%) and avulsion (16.6%), whereas in permanent dentition was uncomplicated crown fracture (32.9%). A high proportion of the patients received their first emergency attention 24 h after the accident (32.6%). This study revealed a high frequency (37.9%) in 1-15 aged population that sought emergency attention by dental trauma in the period of time study. A large proportion of children with dental trauma received delayed first emergency care, even 24 h after the accident. Considering the high frequency of traumatic dental injuries in 1-15 aged population and the high percentage of delayed emergency attention is necessary to develop effective educational campaigns in regard to causes, prevention and emergency management of traumatic dental injuries, especially in deprived areas. In conclusion, traumatic dental injury may be considered as a serious dental public health problem especially in children of deprived areas.

Knowledge of the management of paediatric dental traumas by non-dental professionals in emergency rooms in South Araucanía, Temuco, Chile

AIM The objective of this study was to investigate the level of knowledge and attitudes regarding first aid for dental trauma in children (TDI) by non-dental professionals and paramedical technicians of hospital emergency rooms in the South Araucanía Health Service, Chile, which was attained through application of a survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS Samples were collected from people with occupations in the respective emergency rooms. The participants were 82 people that were interviewed using a questionnaire regarding management of dental trauma. Paramedic technicians, general and specialist doctors, and nurses were included in this survey. The appraisal covered diverse aspects: birth date, age, sex, years of experience in the emergency room, and questions regarding specific dental trauma topics, which focused on crown fractures, luxation injuries in permanent dentition, avulsion in primary and permanent teeth, and the respective emergency treatments. RESULTS Of the participants, 78.1% reported to have been presented with a TDI patient. The majority (90.2%) had not received formal training on TDI. These results revealed a wide distribution of responses. The overall dental trauma knowledge among the participants was relatively poor. For crown fractures management 54.9% indicated that they would ask the affected child about the crown remnants. In regard to transport and storage medium of avulsed permanent teeth, only 9.8% of the participants answered correctly and 43.9% of respondents stated that they would not replant an avulsed permanent tooth, since that procedure is considered the responsibility of a dentist. CONCLUSIONS The majority of the respondents were not knowledgeable regarding TDI or the management and benefits of timely care, particularly in cases of avulsed permanent teeth. Therefore, formal education and training on the topic is suggested during undergraduate studies.

Tooth transplantation after dental injury sequelae in children

Ten immature autotransplanted lower premolars from six patients from 7 to 12 years of age were studied and assessed clinically and radiographically at Regional Clinical Hospital in Temuco between January 2004 and April 2006. All transplantations were performed both because of a missing anterior tooth by dental trauma or by healing complications after injuries. The mean age at the time of the surgery was 10 years (range 7-12 years) and the postoperative follow-up period varied from 5 to 27 months with a mean of 16.9 months. All teeth were stabilized with flexible composite resin wire splints. Within the follow-up period, clinical evaluation was made through percussion and mobility tests. At radiographic evaluation, pulpal canal obliteration (PCO), presence of perirradicular area, inflammatory root resorption (IRR), replacement resorption (RR), stage of root development, lamina dura formation, outline of the periodontal membrane, and arrest in root growth were registered. Pulp healing was observed in 6 of 10 teeth; the other transplanted teeth developed pulp necrosis after 6-8 months possibly related to operative aesthetic procedures. Four teeth showed different grades of PCO at radiographic examination. None of transplanted teeth developed replacement resorption or ankylosis. In this 27-month follow-up period, the survival rate was 100%, regarding aesthetics, function, clinical appearance, and radiographic image of alveolar process.