Psychosocial sequelae and correlates of orofacial injury.

Orofacial injury is a condition that disproportionately affects disadvantaged minorities--particularly young men--with great personal and health care consequences. Beyond the overt physical injury, a large proportion of the presenting patients manifest acute psychological sequelae. Although many patients may recover, in a sizeable proportion the symptoms may persist for extended periods of time and prove to be an obstacle to rehabilitation and reintegration. Health care givers should pay equal attention to evolving psychological sequelae of facial injuries. Strategic questions and screening for risk indicators can help with timely posttrauma identification of individuals most vulnerable to the development of acute and chronic symptomatology.