• Gamze Aren, Elif Sepet, Arzu Pınar Erdem, Ceren Güney Tolgay, Sinem Kuru, Cemalettin Ertekin, Recep Güloğlu, and Acar Aren.
• Department of Pedodontics, İstanbul University Faculty of Dentistry, İstanbul, Turkey. gamzearen@hotmail.com
• Ulus Travma Acil Cer. 2013 May 1;19(3):246-50.

BackgroundThe aim of this study is to determine the type and cause of traumatic orofacial injuries in children up to 18 years of age.MethodsThis retrospective study involved data collected from 12055 patients that came to Istanbul University, Medical Faculty, Department of Emergency in 2011. The patients' data were evaluated with regard to age, gender, etiologic factor of the trauma, type and localization of the injury, and time interval between injury and treatment.ResultsA total of 1296 children in 12055 patients with orofacial trauma were evaluated. Trauma incidence was higher in boys (65%). The major etiologic factor of injury was falls (56%) and primary localization was in the frontal region (41%). The most frequent types of injury were laceration (30.1%) and hematoma (18.6%). 4% of the injuries were found in the orodental region including lips, teeth, tongue and oral mucosa of the mouth. 38% of the patients came to the emergency department within 30-60 minutes after the injury and 68% were sent home with symptomatic treatment.ConclusionConsidering the high percentage of orofacial traumas, effective education is necessary regarding the appropriate diagnostic approach, emergency management and prevention of traumatic dental injuries.

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