Perceptions of emergency department physicians regarding the management of traumatic dental injuries

Background/Aim

The purpose of this study was to investigate the self-reported confidence level and education of Atlantic Canada emergency department physicians in the management of traumatic dental injuries and to assess the need for further education surrounding the management of dental trauma.

Material and Methods

An 18-item survey was developed and distributed electronically to physicians by their respective provincial medical associations.

Results

Traumatic dental injuries were reported in the emergency department on a weekly basis (78%). Most respondents reported that they were somewhat confident (51%) or very confident (7%) in managing traumatic dental injuries. Physicians' years in practice correlated positively with self-reported confidence levels in managing dental trauma. Urban and rural emergency department physicians reported similar levels of access to general dentists (38% and 30%, respectively); however, urban emergency department physicians reported greater access to pediatric dental specialists (43%) and oral and maxillofacial surgeons (81%) than rural practicing colleagues (4% and 30%, respectively). Most emergency department physicians (85%) agreed that it was important to receive training on the management of traumatic dental injuries and reported that education on managing traumatic dental injuries during residency (37%) and access to a dental trauma decision-making pathway (30%) would be of most value.

Conclusions

This study highlights the role of emergency department physicians as first responders and demonstrates opportunities for improvement in the initial management of traumatic dental injuries. These implications can be achieved through the incorporation of further training in emergency medicine residency programs and through the implementation of decision-making pathways in emergency departments.     

Dental trauma involving root fracture and periodontal ligament injury: a 10-year retrospective study

The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyze the cases of traumatic dental injuries involving root fracture and/or periodontal ligament injury (except avulsion) treated at the Discipline of Integrated Clinic, School of Dentistry of Ara?atuba, S?o Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil, from January 1992 to December 2002. Clinical and radiographic records from 161 patients with 287 traumatized teeth that had sustained root fracture and/or injuries to the periodontal ligament were examined. The results of this survey revealed that subluxation (25.09%) was the most common type of periodontal ligament injury, followed by extrusive luxation (19.86%). There was a predominance of young male patients and most of them did not present systemic alterations. Among the etiologic factors, the most frequent causes were falls and bicycle accidents. Injuries on extraoral soft tissues were mostly laceration and abrasion, while gingival and lip mucosa lacerations prevailed on intraoral soft tissues injuries. Radiographically, the most common finding was an increase of the periodontal ligament space. The most commonly performed treatment was root canal therapy. Within the limits of this study, it can be concluded that traumatic dental injuries occur more frequently in young male individuals, due to falls and bicycle accidents. Subluxation was the most common type of periodontal ligament injury. Root canal therapy was the type of treatment most commonly planned and performed.     

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

Abstract –  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.     

Brazilian dentists' knowledge regarding immediate treatment of traumatic dental injuries

Abstract –  The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge of dentists working in the city of Tubarão, southern Brazil, about the immediate treatment of traumatic dental injuries. A cross-sectional study was carried out involving all dentists who were working in the city in 2004 ( n  = 108). Data were collected through self-applied questionnaires with questions about sex, time elapsed since graduation, whether the dentists had attended postgraduate courses and also four questions about traumatic dental injuries in which the dentists selected the best answer. The response rate was 86.1%. For the two questions related to dental avulsion, 36.6% and 16.1% of professionals respectively, chose the correct answer according to the literature. For the question related to coronal fracture, 75.3% chose the correct answer. For the questions related to an incident without dental avulsion or fracture, 73.1% chose the correct answer. Time elapsed since graduation was the only variable statistically associated with the correct answer for the question related to coronal fracture. A significantly greater number of professionals with ≤10 years of experience chose the correct answer when compared with professionals with >10 years experience ( P  < 0.001). It can be concluded that the great majority of professionals would not intervene according to the literature in the cases of avulsion. Less time elapsed since graduation was statistically associated with the correct answer in the coronal fracture case.     

Overnight-stay patients in a day surgery unit to overcome shortage of inpatient beds

A dedicated 23-h stay list was organised at the Addenbrooke's Hospital day surgery unit for elective cases in oral and maxillofacial surgery of minor or moderate severity that would normally be done as inpatients. The patients were selected by the two consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeons and the operations were done by a consultant surgeon (L.C.) and a consultant anaesthetist. Over a 14 month trial period 137 patients were admitted to our 23-h stay lists. One hundred and twenty seven of whom were operated on and stayed overnight, nine went home the same day, and one patient stayed beyond the 23-h limit as he was admitted to the medical ward after a grand mal seizure. The operations were for neoplastic, traumatic, salivary gland and jaw lesions. The reasons for using the overnight-stay facilities varied from social reasons to the need to monitor the airway. The fact that the theatre slots and overnight beds were guaranteed, and that the admissions were booked at outpatient consultation led to few cancellations by patients. This process reduced the inpatient waiting list and released the main operating theatre for major oral and maxillofacial operation, particularly for cancer.     

An audit of the time to initial treatment in avulsion injuries

Abstract –  The prognosis of avulsed teeth depends on prompt and appropriate treatment. Good outcome requires education of the general public and non-dental professionals.
Aim:  Retrospective observational survey of case records of avulsion injuries attending a dental hospital trauma clinic.
Method:  Data collected included: hospital number, date of birth, gender, source of patient's referral, date of trauma, number of avulsed teeth, place of initial presentation, storage, hours till initial presentation, and initial treatment.
Results:  One hundred and twenty teeth with avulsion were identified in 75 children. The mean age of the patients was 9.8 years (SD = 2.3 years) at the time of trauma with avulsions recorded in 44 (58.7%) boys and in 31 (41.3%) girls. Only 51 (42.5%) teeth were stored in an appropriate medium before attendance at any site and only 48 (40%) of the teeth were seen within 1 h. 83.3% received emergency treatment at general hospital, 89.7% in dental practice and 92.9% at dental hospital.
Conclusions:  A minority of avulsion injuries were seen within the first hour and a minority were in appropriate storage medium at presentation. Geographical location plays a huge role in the time taken to reach secondary care. However, improving public and non-dental professional knowledge about tooth storage in avulsion injuries is critical to long-term prognosis of the teeth.     

Knowledge of general practitioners dentists about the emergency management of dental avulsion in Curitiba, Brazil

Abstract –  The prognosis of traumatized teeth in general and of avulsed teeth in particular depends on prompt and appropriate treatment. Management of traumatic injuries may be a challenge to the non-specialized dentist, as they may occur when dentists are least prepared for it. The objective of this research was to investigate the knowledge of general practitioner dentists about the emergency management of dental avulsion in Curitiba, PR, Brazil. A group of 250 professionals were interviewed. The questions were related to knowledge of how to treat traumatic avulsion of teeth. The results suggest that the level of knowledge on the management of dental avulsion of the general practitioners dentists in Curitiba is adequate.     

202例急诊牙外伤临床分析

目的：探讨急诊牙外伤的流行病学特点及预防措施。方法：分析总结202例急诊牙外伤患者的性别，年龄，病因，受伤时间，就诊时间，牙外伤的数目，位置，临床分类。结果：18岁以下牙外伤患者高峰年龄为2－4岁，成人为19－24岁；男性患者数量明显多于女性；牙外伤的原因多为摔伤；最易受伤的季节为夏季；91．08％的患者能够在发生牙外伤后24h内到急诊就诊．外伤牙左右基本对称，上中切牙最易受累；牙外伤累及两颗牙齿的病例最多（33．66％）；牙体硬组织损伤中冠折露髓最为多见，牙周组织损伤中牙震荡最为多见。结论：牙外伤影响人们的生活质量和身心健康，根据牙外伤的发病特点，针对不同人群进行宣教和加强预防十分必要。     

2017—2020年上海第九人民医院口腔急诊上半年病例变化趋势分析

目的: 统计上海交通大学医学院附属第九人民医院2017—2020年口腔急诊分科前后上半年病例变化趋势,分析口腔急诊患者就诊特点和病种类型,为提高口腔急诊医疗质量、制定合理配置提供依据。方法: 分别收集2017—2020年上半年上海交通大学医学院附属第九人民医院收治的所有口腔急诊病例,按照性别与年龄、主诉、病种、就诊时间等进行分类统计,采用SPSS 18.0软件包对数据进行统计学分析。结果: 2017年分科前口腔急诊前3位病种为外伤、肿胀和牙痛。2018年分科后颌面部外伤、面部感染、口腔肿瘤等进入专科治疗,随后3年肿胀和牙痛占比增加。4年间急诊数据差异有统计学意义。结论: 口腔急诊患者量大,病种范围广,遵循周期性就诊规律,总量有逐年上升趋势。口腔急诊分科分诊后患者就诊更加及时、便捷、有针对性,医疗服务质量得到提升。     

Our experience of a nurse-led oral and maxillofacial surgical clinic in a tertiary centre: two years on

We describe our two-year experience of a nurse led clinic (NLC) in a tertiary centre oral and maxillofacial surgical (OMFS) department. The clinic is run by a specialist nurse, in parallel with a consultant’s clinic and focuses on the management and review of non-malignant lesions. Increased clinical flexibility, reduced waiting times, and tailored educational resources have contributed to an improved experience for the patients.     

Vital reimplanted tooth in torsiversion: A one-and-half-year follow-up

A 10-year-old boy reported to the dental outpatient department with a chief complaint of a labially placed upper left central incisor and wanted treatment for esthetic reasons. No history of pain, bleeding, or any swelling was reported. Clinical examination revealed that the left upper central incisor was in torsoversion, that is, the palatal side of a tooth in labial position or a tooth rotated along its long axis by 180°. There was a history of traumatic avulsion followed by replantation 2.5 years earlier. No dental treatment was taken by the child. The radiograph showed root fracture in the apical one-third area but with no periapical radiolucent changes. As the tooth was completely asymptomatic and was vital with no periapical changes, no endodontic treatment was planned. Interceptive orthodontic treatment for the labially positioned tooth was undertaken followed by esthetic recontouring with labial crown forms. The case highlights the excellent results of immediate replantation. It also highlights the need for basic education about common dental emergencies, such as avulsion, to schoolchildren, teachers, and primary health-care providers.     

Traumatic injuries to primary teeth in Mexico City children.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyse traumatic injuries to primary teeth in children attending an emergency dental service in a pediatric hospital in Mexico City. A total of 563 children 6-mo to 7 yrs-old were treated during the period from January 1981 to December 1987. The 563 children presented 936 traumatic dental injuries. The most common type of trauma was soft tissue injury, followed by luxation and avulsion. More males presented with traumatic injuries (61.8%) than females (38.2%). In both sexes, maxillary teeth received more traumatic injuries than mandibular teeth. Children 2-3 yrs old presented the highest number of injuries (195) followed by the 4-5 and 6-7 year-olds. The largest number of injuries were seen during winter (36%) followed by summer (25%), spring (21%) and fall (18%).     

The lingual splint: an often forgotten method for fixating pediatric mandibular fractures

Maxillofacial fractures are uncommon in the pediatric population, and their treatment is unique due to the psychological, physiological, developmental and anatomical characteristics of children. We present the case of a boy who was treated in an outpatient dental clinic using a lingual splint for the reduction, stabilization and fixation of a mandibular body fracture. This technique is a reliable, noninvasive procedure that dentists may consider in selected cases by referral to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. It also limits the discomfort and morbidity that can be associated with maxillomandibular fixation or open reduction and internal fixation in pediatric patients.     

Traumatic injuries to primary teeth in Mexico City children

Abstract The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyse traumatic injuries to primary teeth in children attending an emergency dental service in a pediatric hospital in Mexico City. A total of 563 children 6-mo to 7 yrs-old were treated during the period from January 1981 to December 1987. The 563 children presented 936 traumatic dental injuries. The most common type of trauma was soft tissue injury, followed by luxation and avulsion. More males presented with traumatic injuries (61.8%) than females (38.2%). In both sexes, maxillary teeth received more traumatic injuries than mandibular teeth. Children 2-3 yrs old presented the highest number of injuries (195) followed by the 4-5 and 6-7 year-olds. The largest number of injuries were seen during winter (36%) followed by summer (25%), spring (21%) and fall (18%).     

A review of referral patterns to paediatric dental consultant clinics.

A retrospective survey of 317 child patients referred to consultant paediatric dental clinics at Glasgow Dental Hospital over a 12-month period is reported. It was found that although there was a wide range of reasons for referral the most frequent problem was the management of the patient. As a result of this finding, the dental hospital is currently establishing a clinic specifically for patients with a fear of dental treatment.     

Paediatric Dentistry Avulsion: Case reports

Children may present at a dental surgery for management of oro-facial injuries. Most general dental practitioners are able to handle straight-forward cases but referral may be required for complex injuries. Successful healing following tooth avulsion depends on the amount of damage to teeth and supporting structures, emergency treatment, and follow-up treatment. All of these play a role in the long-term prognosis of avulsed teeth.     

Risk of concomitant traumatic brain injuries in children with traumatic dental injuries in a pediatric emergency department: A case-control study

BackgroundChildren with traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) may simultaneously sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of concomitant TBI in children with TDIs.MethodsChildren (≤ 18 years) who sought treatment at the emergency department of a major children’s hospital for TDIs from 2010 through 2019 were identified. Children with a concomitant TBI were assigned as case patients (TDI and TBI). Two control patients (TDI only) were randomly age- and sex-matched with each case patient. Associations between variables of TDI and concomitant TBI were tested using 6 logistic regression models.ResultsOf 2,126 children with TDIs, 119 had concomitant TBIs (case patients). The control group consisted of 238 children with TDIs only who were age- and sex-matched with case patients. Mean (SD) age of children was 8.9 (4.8) years. Twenty-seven percent of case patients were female vs 32% of control patients. There was a statistically significant direct association between total number of injured teeth and concomitant TBIs (P = .01; odds ratio, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.22 to 4.79). For every tooth injured, the odds of concomitant TBI increased by 45% (P < .001; odds ratio, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.18 to 1.79). Number of displaced teeth, presence of avulsion or intrusion, number of fractured teeth, presence of complicated tooth fracture, and presence of alveolar fracture were not significantly associated with the odds of concomitant TBI.ConclusionsThe total number of injured teeth was positively associated with higher odds of concomitant TBI in this setting.Practical ImplicationsIn an emergency department setting, children with various types of TDIs sustained concomitant TBIs. For every tooth injured, the odds of concomitant TBI increased by 45%. Clinicians must systematically evaluate children with any TDI to rule out the possibility of concomitant TBI.     

Oral trauma in children: a hospital survey

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the type and prevalence of dental injuries seen in a hospital emergency room. Of the 10,436 patients who were treated at the hospital emergency room as a result of a traumatic episode, 765 (7.3%) had sustained injuries to structures of the oral cavity. The leading cause of dental injury was falls, accounting for 55.8% of the injuries. The male-to-female ratio of dental injuries was 1.6:1. The peak age group of children with dental injuries was the 1-to-2-year-old age group. Laceration of the lip was the most predominant injury to structures of the oral cavity, accounting for 62.8% of the dental injuries. The peak month for dental injuries was June, and 61.2% of the dental injuries occurred in the home.     

A review of referrals of new patients to the paediatric department of a teaching hospital during a six-month period in 2004.

AIMS: The aims of this review were to assess the reasons why patients were referred to a specialist dental paediatric unit and the quality of the referral letters received. MATERIAL AND METHOD: All patients referred to the paediatric consultation clinic at the Liverpool University Dental Hospital from January 2004 to July 2004 were included in the review. The reasons for their referral, as stated by the referring practitioners, were compared with the clinical findings from initial assessments in the consultation clinic and the quality of referral letters was assessed. RESULTS: Ninety-nine out of a total of 102 referrals were from general dental practitioners. Sixty were girls and 42 boys. Their mean age was 9.5 years. The commonest reason (25 patients) was for treatment under general anaesthesia. In 90 (88.2%) cases the main reason for referral stated in the letters was consistent with the findings of the clinical assessment in the consultant clinic. All 102 letters included the patient's name, address, date of birth and telephone number and 89 (87.3%) were dated. However, only 25 (24.5%) included any mention of medical history and fewer than 30% included details of any treatment provided by the referring practitioner. CONCLUSIONS: The vast majority of patients were referred for good reasons. The quality of the referral letters was generally poor. The use of a structured referral pro forma could improve the quality of the referral.     

Temporomandibular joint multidisciplinary team clinic

Patients with dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) commonly present to oral and maxillofacial departments and are increasingly being managed by a subspecialist group of surgeons. We review the outcomes of patients attending a specialist TMJ multidisciplinary team (MDT) clinic. All patients are simultaneously reviewed by a consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon, consultant in oral medicine, specialist physiotherapist, and maxillofacial prosthetist, and they can also see a consultant liaison psychiatrist. They are referred from primary, secondary, and tertiary care when medical and surgical treatment in the routine TMJ clinic has failed, and are triaged by the attending maxillofacial surgeon. On discharge they are returned to the care of the referring practitioner. We review the outcomes of patients attending this clinic over a 2-year period and show improvements in pain scores and maximal incisal opening, as well as quality of life outcome measures. All units in the UK with an interest in the management of diseases of the TMJ should consider establishing this type of clinic and should use available resources and expertise to maximise outcomes.