The prevalence of traumatic dental injuries: a 24-month survey

The aim of the present investigation was to assess the prevalence of dental traumatic injuries in children referred to Queen Fabiola Children's Hospital, Free University of Brussels, Belgium. This study was based on the clinical data of 457 traumatized teeth in 214 children. Most injuries involved 2 teeth (51%). Of these, maxillary central incisors were the most affected teeth (89%). The highest frequency of trauma occurred between 2 and 4 years of age. Falls were the most common cause of injury in both girls and boys. The most common type of injury in the primary and permanent teeth was subluxation. Gingival and mucosal laceration was the most common type of soft tissue lesion (61%). Only 42% of children came for dental treatment on the same day that they were injured.     

Prevalence of dental trauma in 5–6- and 12–14-year-old boys in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract – This study involved 354 boys aged 5–6 years and 862 boys aged 12–14 years, attending 40 schools in Riyadh. All children were examined at school by a single dental examiner, using criteria similar to those employed in the survey of children's dental health in the United Kingdom. The prevalence of dental trauma in 354 Saudi boys aged 5–6 years was 33%. The most common type of dental trauma was fracture of enamel (71%) followed by loss of tooth due to trauma (13%), fracture into enamel and dentine (7%), discolouration (5%), pulp involvement (4%). No relationship between the degree of overjet and the occurrence of dental trauma in the primary dentition was observed. The prevalence of dental trauma in 862 12–14-year-old boys was 34%. The commonest dental trauma was fracture of enamel (74%) followed by fracture into enamel and dentine (15%), fracture into enamel-dentine and pulp (5%), loss of tooth due to trauma (3%), and discolouration (0.4%). A significant relationship ( P =0.02) between the increased overjet (≥ 6 mm) and the occurrence of dental trauma in the permanent dentition was reported. The present study found no evidence of dental care provided for traumatised primary incisors in 5–6-year-old boys. The treatment of dental trauma in 12–14-year-old boys was negligible (2.4%). The present Saudi Arabian study showed higher prevalence of dental trauma in 5–6- and 12–14-year-old boys than the reported results of the United Kingdom Children's Dental Health Survey of the same age groups.     

Clinical investigation of traumatic injuries in Yeditepe University, Turkey during the last 3 years

Abstract – The aim of this study was to evaluate etiology, types of traumatic dental injuries, treatment and to determine the incidence of complications according to dental injuries in patients who referred to Yeditepe University, Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul, Turkey. The study was based on the clinical data of the 161 traumatized teeth in 92 patients. WHO classification slightly modified by Andreasen & Andreasen for dental trauma was used. The causes and localization of trauma, traumatized teeth classification, treatment and complications were evaluated both primary and permanent teeth. The distribution of complications according to diagnosis and treatment of the injured teeth were evaluated. Of 35 (38%) girls and 56 (72%) boys with a mean age 7.6 ± 3.5 (ranging 1–14.2) participated to study and the mean followed up was 1.72 ± 1.28 years (ranging 0.10–3.8 years). From the 161 affected teeth, 69 (42.9%) were in primary teeth and 92 (57.1%) in permanent teeth. The highest frequency of trauma occurred in the 6–12 year age group. Overall boys significantly outnumbered girls by approximately 1:1.6. The most common type of injury in the primary and permanent teeth was seen as luxation (38%) and enamel fracture (20%) of the maxillary central incisors, respectively. Falls were the major sources of trauma both the primary (90%) and the permanent teeth (84%). In the primary dentition, the most common type of soft tissue injury is contusion (62.5%) and in the permanent dentition, it is laceration (49%). The most of the treatment choice was determined as examination only and extraction in primary teeth (58 and 24.6%, respectively) while it was applied as restoration and pulpectomy in permanent teeth (31.5 and 18.5%, respectively). Complications were recorded on 37 teeth (23%) with a most common type of necrosis (10.5%) and dental abscess (7.4%). Necrosis was more frequent in luxation whereas dental abscess were in crown fracture with pulpal involvement in both dentitions. The study showed that boys were more prone to dental traumas than girls. Falls were more frequent trauma type with a high complication risk. It reveals that the time of the immediate treatment showed the important predisposing factors that increase the success of treatment and decrease the risk of complication. The correct diagnosis of dental injuries is more important for eliminating the occurrence of complications.     

Etiology and environment of dental injuries in 12- to 14-year-old Ontario schoolchildren

Abstract –  This study reports on the etiology and environment where dental injuries occurred and assesses the relationship between dental trauma, socio-economic status and dental caries experience. A population-based, matched case-comparison study was undertaken in 30 schools in two Ontario communities. Dental hygienists calibrated in the use of the Dental Trauma Index (DTI) screened 2422 children aged 12 and 14 years using DTI and Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth indices. Cases ( n  = 135) were children with evidence of dental injury. Controls ( n  = 135) were children randomly selected after screening and matched with cases according to age and gender. Questionnaires were mailed to parents and children. Prevalence of dental injury was 11.4%, mostly minor injuries 63.7% (enamel fracture not involving dentin), affecting one upper central incisor (70.4%). The mean age at the time of dental injuries was 9.5 years (SD = 1.49; range: 6–13 years). Dental trauma most often occurred among boys at school because of falls or while playing sports. The relationship between dental injuries and the socio-economic indicators chosen was not statistically significant. However, a statistically significant direct relationship ( P  < 0.001) was shown between increased caries experience and dental injuries. This should focus attention on possible common-risk factors such as health-related behavioral problems that may affect both dental disease and dental injuries.     

Incidence of dental trauma in the Western Australian School Dental Service

A prospective study was undertaken to determine the annual incidence of trauma to the anterior permanent teeth of children enrolled in the Western Australian School Dental Service. The population comprised 66,500 6-12-yr-old children. 1.66 children and 2.05 teeth per 100 children received trauma. Of the children incurring trauma the incidence per 100 erupted teeth was 11.7. 80.5% of children traumatised one tooth only per incident, but 35% of all teeth that were traumatised involved trauma to two or more teeth. 88% of all traumatised teeth were central incisors. Girls received proportionately more trauma to the maxillary dental arch than did boys. Fracture involving both the enamel and the dentine was the most commonly recorded class of trauma (42.7% of cases). There was no obvious pattern to the overall distribution of trauma through the week or the year. Approximately one-third of all traumata occurred at school, one-third at home, and the remainder elsewhere. Trauma to the maxillary dental arch occurred most frequently at home, while trauma to more than one tooth (multiple trauma) occurred most commonly at school. Trauma incidence resulting from falling or being pushed was almost twice as high among girls as among boys. Bicycle accidents caused a higher than average rate of multiple trauma and of pulpal exposure.     

Primary tooth injuries in Norwegian children (1–8 years)

Abstract –  This prospective study examined the yearly incidence of traumatic injuries to primary teeth. The aim of the study was to find out more about dental injuries to primary teeth in Norwegian children. The study was performed in one county of Norway involving approximately 20 000 children in the age group 1–8 years. Twenty-seven public dental clinics and 42 dentists participated. The dentists attended information and calibration meetings and received illustrations of the classification of dental trauma as well as examples of how to fill in the forms correctly. Two hundred and sixty-six children were involved, including 447 primary teeth, recorded during a 1-year registration period (2003). The dental trauma incidence was 1.3% with 3.5-year old being the most accident-prone. Boys were significantly more often injured than girls, 164 versus 102 ( P  < 0.001). The upper central incisors were most involved (92%), with a non-significant difference between the right and left side. The minor periodontal injuries dominated (59%). Hard tissue injuries were far less frequent (13%). Avulsions were observed in 6.5% and intrusions in 7.5% of the injured children, being 5.5% and 5% of the injured teeth. Most of the injuries occurred either at home (38%) or at kindergarten (32%). Sixty-two percentage were falling accidents often sustained during children's play, and 25% were pure playing accidents.
Conclusion:  In Norwegian children aged 1–8 years, with a predominance of boys, the most common primary tooth injuries were minor luxations of the maxillary central incisors, sustained at an age of 3.5 years. As the traumas often occurred during children's play and/or were the consequence of falls, these are difficult to prevent. However, follow ups should be carried out to disclose pulpal or periodontal complications and/or developmental disturbances of the permanent successors.     

Traumatic dental injuries in a cohort of 16-year-olds in northern Sweden

Abstract The prevalence and yearly incidence of traumatic tooth injury between 1 and 16 years of age were studied in a cohort of 16 year-olds, born in 1975, and residing in the County of Västerbotten, northern Sweden. The study comprised 3007 dental records from the public denial health service. The general distribution was 50.3% girls and 49.7% boys. The records showed that 35% of the children on one or more occasions had sustained injury to their primary or permanent dentition. The frequency was nearly twice as high for boys (64%) as for girls (36%). Twenty-five percent of the 16-year-olds had met with tooth injury more than once and this group consisted predominantly of boys. The incidence of injury episodes to primary and permanent teeth was 28 per 1000 per year. The boys had sustained trauma to their teeth most frequently when they were 4 years of age and between the ages of 8 and 11. This was also true for girls at 4 and at 9 years of age, although less evidently so. In the primary dentition, the majority of dental injuries had affected the supporting tissue of the maxillary incisors. In the permanent dentition, 75% of the traumatised teeth were upper incisors. Fractures of varying severity constituted 60% of all registered diagnoses in this dentition, followed by subluxation (19%) and concussion (11%).     

The prevalence of traumatic injuries treated in the pedodontic clinic of Ankara University, Turkey, during 18 months

Abstract  – The purpose of this study was to evaluate the type and prevalence of dental injuries referred to Ankara University, School of Dentistry, Department of Pedodontics, Turkey. One hundred and forty-seven patients with 234 traumatized teeth presented during 18-month interval. Of the 147 patients, 85 were boys and 62 were girls. The most frequent trauma occurred in the age of 11 years. The maxillary central incisors were found to be the most affected tooth in both primary and permanent dentition injuries. The maxillary arch is involved in a higher percentage of trauma cases (95.72%). The most common cause of injuries are falls (67.34%). In the primary dentition, the most common type of injury is extrusive luxation (38.23%) and in the permanent dentition, it is fracture of enamel–dentin without pulpal involvement (50.5%). From 147 patients, only 82 presented to our clinic within 1 h and 10 days after the injury time. It reveals that there is a need to inform the public of what they should do in cases of dental trauma, and how important it is to contact a dentist immediately.     

Traumatic dental injuries in primary school children of South India – a report from district-wide oral health survey

Abstract – Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of dental trauma among primary school children aged 6–11 years in Belgaum, India.Materials and methods: A sample of 13 200 children from primary schools of Belgaum district was examined for dental trauma. WHO classification of dental trauma was used.Results: Total number of children suffering from dental trauma was found to be 1946 (14.74%). A significant gender influence on the occurrence of dental trauma was observed, with more boys (17.26%) experiencing dental trauma than girls (12.29%). More than 3 mm overjet and incompetent lips were also significantly associated with dental trauma in children.Conclusion: The findings of this study show that dental trauma has a moderately high prevalence among Indian primary school children. Community, especially parents and school teachers, should be educated about prevention and early management of dental trauma in children.     

Dental emergencies presenting to a dental teaching hospital due to complications from traumatic dental injuries

Abstract  – In Jordan, only two surveys of dental trauma have been carried out. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and pattern of dental emergencies resulting from traumatic injuries, as well as treatment provided to children presenting with these dental emergencies. Over a 1-year period, 620 children presented to our pediatric dental clinics with dental emergencies; 195 (31%) of these emergencies were a consequence of dental trauma to 287 teeth and were included in the study. The average time between the trauma and the dental emergency was 5 months. Pain or sensitivity was the most frequent presenting symptom (31.3%) followed by swelling or sinus tract (17.4%). The age of these patients ranged from 15 months to 14 years, with an average age of 9.3 years. Males accounted for 75.4% of the children in the samples, whereas females accounted for only 24.6%. The main cause of dental trauma was falling during play (58.5%); the least common cause was motor vehicle accidents, accounting for only 1.5% of all injuries. Most of the dental injuries occurred at home (41.5%), around noon time. The most commonly involved teeth were permanent maxillary central incisors accounting for 79.5% of all teeth involved by dental trauma. The most frequently encountered type of trauma in this sample was crown fracture seen in 76.6% of the teeth . Soft tissue injuries were estimated to occur in 16.9% of the children. The treatment received by the children in the sample ranged from no active treatment (6.2%) to elaborate dental procedures such as pulp therapy (41.3%) and prosthetic replacement of missing teeth (5.1%).     

Prevalence of Traumatic Dental Injuries in Children Who Attended Two Dental Clinics in Târgu Mureº Between 2003 and 2011

Aims: This retrospective study aimed to assess the prevalence of dental trauma in deciduous and permanent teeth among children and teenagers who attended two dental clinics in T?￠rgu Mure?o, Romania, between 2003 and 2011 and the correlation of their risk of dental trauma with factors, including gender, age, physical activities and extent of incisor overjet. Methods: The study population consisted of patients aged between 1 and 18 years who attended the Clinic of Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics and the Clinic of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, T?￠rgu Mure?o, in the period between January 2003 and August 2011. Their records were reviewed and the following factors, relevant to dental trauma, were recorded: gender, age, type of dentition, injury aetiology, lesion type and location, number of teeth affected, occlusion, and radiography. For patients who attended the orthodontics clinic, the degree of overjet was also determined. Results: The overall prevalence of dental trauma was 24.5%. The frequency of traumatic injuries to deciduous teeth was approximately equal for boys and girls, and the most for those between 1 and 2 years. In the permanent dentition, a dental trauma was more frequently found boys, and the most affected age group was between 11 and 12 years, for both boys and girls. The most common causes were falls, in deciduous teeth especially during learning to walk, and in permanent teeth particularly during cycling or other sporting mishaps. The most frequent type of trauma found in the deciduous dentition was lateral luxation and in the permanent teeth it was fracture with the involvement of enamel and dentine, but without the exposure of the dental pulp. A positive relationship was noted between the presence of overjet associated with lip incompetence and the frequency of dental trauma. Conclusions: The prevalence of dental trauma in children and adolescents who attended the Clinic of Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics and the Clinic of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, T?￠rgu Mure?o, was broadly similar to that found in other studies. More epidemiologic studies are needed to gain a more comprehensive overview of the prevalence of dental trauma in Romania.     

Pediatric injuries in maxillofacial trauma: a 5 year study

Fractures of the facial skeleton in children are less frequent. This clinical retrospective study of 5 year was conducted on 95 patients aged less than 16 years who sustained maxillofacial injuries during the period 2003 to 2008. Age, sex, etiology incidence and type of fracture were studied. The ratio of boys to girls was 1.9:1. The 7–12 year age group was commonly involved and the highest incidence was at age of ten years. Falls were the most common cause of injury accounting for 41%, followed by road traffic accidents (30%). Sports related injuries, assault and child abuse were also the causes of injury in children. Dentoalveolar injuries were found to be highest incidence with 42.1% followed by mandibular fractures. The soft tissue injuries were associated the pediatric maxillofacial trauma were found to be 34.7% of all cases.     

Traumatic injuries to permanent teeth in Turkish children, Ankara

Abstract –  The aim of this study was to identify the types and etiologies of dento-alveolar injuries among patients who were treated for injuries to maxillary and/or mandibular permanent teeth at the Gulhane Medical Academy, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Center of Dental Sciences in Ankara, Turkey to provide a basis for determining optimal treatment approaches and educational needs. From a total of 4956 children aged 6–12 years (mean age: 8.91 ± 1.95) applying to the Center, 472 children (9.5%) were found to have suffered dental injuries during a period of 2 years. Injuries were classified according to drawings and texts based on the WHO classification system, as modified by Andreasen and Andreasen. Injury rates were highest among children age 6 and ages 8–10. The most frequently injured permanent teeth were the maxillary central incisors (88.2%), and the maxillary right central permanent incisor made up 47.2% of all injured teeth. The most common cause of dental trauma was falling while walking or running (40.3%). Most injuries involved a single tooth (64.8%). The most common type of injury was enamel fracture (44.6%). There was a significant difference in gender, where boys more often suffered from a dental hard tissue and pulp injury than girls ( P  = 0.019), whereas there was no difference in gender ( P  = 0.248) in the distribution of periodontal injuries. Injuries were found to occur more frequently during the summer ( P  < 0.001). Children with increased overjet were 2.19 times more likely to have dental injuries than other children. Considering that the incidence of traumatic dental injury is highest among children ages 6 and ages 8–10 as well as the fact that patients with increased overjet are more prone to dental trauma, preventive orthodontic treatment in early mixed dentition may play an important role in reducing traumatic dental injuries.     

Prevalence of teeth with untreated dental trauma among nursery and primary school pupils in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract – The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of teeth with untreated dental trauma among children aged 4–15 years in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A sample of 4524 children from three districts of different socio-economic status in the Dar es Salaam area was examined for signs of dental trauma in 1998/99.
In 21% of all children examined, at least one type of untreated dental trauma was observed. A high percentage of untreated dental trauma was observed at the ages of 4 and 15 years. The most frequently observed type of dental trauma was enamel fracture (67%) followed by enamel-dentin fracture (26%). A significant gender influence on the occurrence of untreated dental trauma was observed, with more boys (23%) having untreated dental trauma than girls (19%). A higher percentage of untreated dental traumas was observed among children in the district with highest SES (26%) compared to the prevalence in the other two districts (14–17%). The findings of this study show that dental traumas are prevalent among Tanzanian children. Therefore, provision of information to the lay community about the importance of early management of dental trauma, ways of preventing trauma and appropriate handling of avulsed teeth is essential in order to minimize the rate of dental injuries and the related complications.     

Traumatic tooth injuries to primary teeth of children aged 0–3 years

Abstract –  The purpose of this study was to analyze data according to gender, age, cause, number of traumatized teeth, type of tooth and trauma, from the records of traumatized children (0–3 years) referred to the Ondokuz Mayıs University, Dental Faculty, Department of Pedodontics in middle Black Sea region of Turkey. A total of 563 boys and girls participated in the study. Traumatic dental injuries were recorded using the classification of the World Health Organization modified slightly by Andreasen & Andreasen. Traumatic dental injuries were identified in 17.4% of the children. The largest percentage of injuries were in the 13–18 months old children with no significant gender differences ( P  > 0.05). Periodontal tissue injuries were the most common (84.7%) with no statistical difference between different ages or gender ( P  > 0.05). The main etiological factor of traumatic dental injury was falls (73.5%) and it was not different between age and gender ( P  > 0.05). The maxillary central incisors were involved in a higher percentage of traumatic injuries (98%), with no differences between the right and the left sides ( P  > 0.05). Treatment was sought for 37.4% of children within 1–7 days. It is suggested that parents should be informed about prevention of traumatic injuries and to contact a dentist immediately.     

Prevalence of traumatic injuries to maxillary permanent teeth in 9‐ to 14‐year‐old school children in Yazd,Iran

Abstract – Aim: Trauma to maxillary anterior teeth is a common reason for emergency room visits among children; therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and related factors of such trauma among 9‐ to 14‐year‐old children in Yazd. Materials and methods: A sample of 1440 schoolchildren aged 9–14 years old, consisting of 720 boys and 720 girls, were randomly selected from 24 schools in Yazd. Ellis classification was used to record the dental injuries. Results: The prevalence found was 27.56%. The occurrence of trauma was significantly higher in male patients; furthermore, most of the dental trauma occurred in children between 9 and 10 years of age (47.38%). The most common type of injury was the ‘enamel only’ fracture; falls being the main cause of trauma. The most affected tooth was the maxillary central incisor Conclusions: The prevalence and most common causal factor of traumatic injuries to the maxillary anterior teeth in schoolchildren living in Yazd was approximately the same as that found in other countries.     

The prevalence of traumatic dental injuries to permanent anterior teeth and its relation with predisposing risk factors among 8-13 years school children of Vadodara city: An epidemiological study

Background and objective: dental trauma is an irreversible pathology that after occurrence is characterized by life-long debilitating effects. The objectives of this study were to measure the prevalence of anterior teeth fracture and their association with predisposing factors such as lip coverage, molar relationship, overjet, and variables such as age, sex, cause, and place of trauma. Materials and Methods: an epidemiological cross-sectional study was carried out among 3708 school children aged 8-13 years in the Vadodara city. All children completed a questionnaire related to history of trauma to their anterior teeth after which they were examined for lip competence, Angle's molar relationship amount of overjet and nature of trauma sustained. The results were statistically analyzed using the prevalence test, Chi-square test, and Mantel-Haenszel Common Odds Ratio. Results: the prevalence of traumatic injuries was 8.79% and the ratio of boys: girl's was 1.28:1. Inadequate lip coverage group sustained about five times more injuries than the adequate lip coverage group (P = 0.000, OR= 5.407). The maximum traumatic injuries were seen in children having Angle Class II Div 1 molar relationship and/or overjet greater than 5.5 mm and was statistically significant (P<0.05). Maximum number of injuries occurred at 9 years of age. The most predominant injuries were enamel fractures, the most common place for occurrence was home and fall against object, the most frequent cause. Conclusion: the prevalence of dental injuries in the Vadodara city is high and it has a great potential to be considered as an emerging public health problem.     

Prevalence of traumatic dental injuries in preschool children in Kuwait – a screening study

Abstract – Aims: This is the first study in Kuwait to determine the prevalence, etiology, classification of trauma, teeth involved, place of injury and treatment received after dental trauma in preschool children. Material and methods: A total of 500 preschool children presenting at a dental screening day in all governorates of Kuwait were clinically examined for signs of trauma to their primary teeth. The parents were then interviewed and a prevalidated questionnaire was completed with the demographic data of the participant and history of the dental trauma. Results: A total of 243 (48.6%) males and 257 (51.4%) females were screened. The age range was 2–6 years (mean age of 4.31 ± 1.03 years). Fifty‐six children (68 teeth) suffered trauma to their primary teeth making a prevalence of 11.2%. Majority of dental traumas occurred at home (n = 49, 87.5%) followed by at street (n = 4, 7.1%) and at school (n = 3, 5.4%). The most common reason of oral trauma was falls (n = 53, 94.6%).The most commonly affected tooth was the maxillary right primary central incisor (n = 29, 42.6%) followed by the maxillary left primary central incisor (n = 26, 38.2%). There were 20 teeth with enamel fractures (29.4%), 18 teeth had enamel‐ dentin fractures (26.5%) and 10 teeth had complicated crown fractures (14.7%). There were 17 luxated teeth (25%) and only three primary teeth (4.4%) were avulsed. The only statistically significant relation found in this study was between the type of trauma and the type of the treatment provided. Of the traumatized teeth, 23 (33.8%) did not receive any type of dental or medical care. Conclusion: In spite of the low prevalence of dental trauma in Kuwaiti preschool children, it is highly recommended to plan a community wide trauma prevention campaign targeting parents, children and medical/dental care providers.     

Prevalence of sequelae in the permanent anterior teeth after trauma in their predecessors: a longitudinal study of 8 years

Abstract –  The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sequelae in the permanent anterior teeth following trauma in their predecessors, and also to verify the existence of association between the sequelae in the permanent teeth and the type of injury in their predecessors according to the age group at the time of injury. This study was performed based on data from the records of 169 boys and 138 girls who received assistance at the dental clinic of the State University of Rio de Janeiro from March 1996 to December 2004. The sample was collected from 753 traumatized deciduous teeth of children aged 0–10 years. The number of boys and girls with dental trauma corresponded to 55.0% and 45.0%, respectively. The more affected age period was between 1 and 4 years (75.3%). The most common type of traumatic injury was the intrusion (29.3%), followed by avulsion (14.1%). Concerning permanent dentition, the most common developmental disturbances were discoloration of enamel and/or enamel hypoplasia (46.08%) and eruption disturbances (17.97%) due to the traumatic injury in their predecessors. It was not possible to find an association between the type of injury in primary teeth and sequelae in their successors in the studied age groups ( P  ≤ 1.00). The study concluded that discolorations of enamel and/or enamel hypoplasia (46.08%) were the most prevalent sequelae on the permanent dentition and that there was no significant statistical association between the occurrence of sequelae in the permanent teeth and the type of traumatic injury in their predecessors in the studied age groups.     

Dental injuries in Norwegians aged 7–18 years

Abstract  – In this prospective study, baseline information regarding trauma to permanent teeth is presented. The aim of the study was twofold: to increase the knowledge of dental injuries in young Norwegians and to examine whether a rise in the number of dental trauma had occurred during the last 10–15 years. Both an urban and a rural area were included, constituting 12% of the 7–18-year-olds living in the country. A total of 1275 children in this age group suffered dental injuries in the capital city of Oslo and in the rural area of Nord-Trøndelag during a 1-year registration period. The children were examined by calibrated dentists in the public dental health service. The service offers regular, free recalls, and 98% of the children attend. The dental injuries were classified according to WHO's classification system. The dental trauma incidence found was 1.8% (2.0% in Oslo and 1.3% in Nord-Trøndelag). Nearly 50% of the children were in the age group 8–10 years. Ninety-seven per cent of the accidents involved the incisors, and the minor trauma dominated. Age and gender were predisposing factors. Boys were nearly twice as often injured as girls and this difference increased with age. No increase in the annual frequency of dental injuries was observed.