Prevalence and factors associated with traumatic dental injuries (TDI) to anterior teeth of 11-13 year old Thai children

Objective: The objective was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with Traumatic Dental Injuries (TDI) to anterior teeth of 11-13 year old Thai children. Methods: A cross sectional survey was carried out in a sample of 2,725 children from 52 primary school classes in the Chiang Mai urban area of Thailand. The children were clinically examined for TDI and interviewed. Results: 35.0% of children experienced TDI. Males (45.3%) had TDI levels approximately twice as high as females (25.2%), and the prevalence of TDI increased with age. TDI were more common amongst children living in more disadvantaged households and whose parents were less educated. Children with an overjet greater than 5mm were also more likely to have TDI. Most of the affected children (20.6%) had trauma to 1 tooth, 10.3% to 2, 2.6% had 3 teeth affected. The proportion of damaged teeth was 4.6 per 100 anterior teeth. Central incisors were the most common teeth with TDI, both in the upper and lower jaws. Enamel fracture was the major type of TDI. Most of the TDI occurred at home and school. Running was the major activity leading to TDI. 'Falls' was the most common manner causing TDI (24.8%). Ground surfaces (22.4% of all cases), particularly concrete surfaces (14.6% of all cases), were the most common vectors which directly contacted or injured children. Biting hard material was the most common activity leading to TDI. Conclusion: Traumatic dental injuries are common and are an important dental public health problem in Thailand.