Dental trauma in children. Part 1: causes and assessment

Traumatic injuries to the teeth and supporting tissues are common, particularly in children. Appropriate and timely management of these injuries ensures the best possible outcome for the patient. Although dental trauma is common, it is not something that most dental teams have to deal with on a daily basis. When a patient presents with trauma, however, it is vital that the whole team feels well prepared and confident in assessing and managing the patient.

This article, the first in a two-part series, discusses which patients are most at risk, the most common types of injury and how to assess these patients in the emergency setting. The immediate and longer-term management of dental trauma and the potential complications will be covered in the next article in the series.