Traumatic dental injuries among 8- to 12-year-old schoolchildren in Pinggu District, Beijing, China, during 2012.

BACKGROUND: Although traumatic dental injuries are most common during childhood and can cause significant health problems, the literature contains few reports of the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries in children in China. AIM: To study the prevalence of and factors related to traumatic dental injuries among 8- to 12-year-old schoolchildren in Pinggu District, Beijing during 2012. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An epidemiological survey of traumatic dental injuries was performed in all nine primary schools of Pinggu District, Beijing, China. Andreasen criteria as the diagnostic criteria were used in the study. A sample of 5165 students aged from 8 to 12 years old were examined, consisting of 2711 boys and 2454 girls. RESULTS: A total of 367 students (7.1%), 251 boys and 116 girls, were found to have traumatic dental injuries, and 442 permanent teeth were involved. Maxillary central incisors were the most affected by dental injuries (378, 85.5%). Among the 52 traumatized teeth (11.8%) that were treated, endodontic treatment (55.8%) was the most common method. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed a relatively low prevalence of dental injuries in Pinggu District. The treatment rate of traumatized teeth was relatively low. Schoolchildren need more medical assistance when they face accidents. Policymakers should develop a strategy for the prevention of traumatic dental injuries. Educational programs to increase the knowledge of traumatic dental injuries and prevent them should be initiated for teachers and schoolchildren.