Oral trauma in children: a hospital survey.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the type and prevalence of dental injuries seen in a hospital emergency room. Of the 10,436 patients who were treated at the hospital emergency room as a result of a traumatic episode, 765 (7.3%) had sustained injuries to structures of the oral cavity. The leading cause of dental injury was falls, accounting for 55.8% of the injuries. The male-to-female ratio of dental injuries was 1.6:1. The peak age group of children with dental injuries was the 1-to-2-year-old age group. Laceration of the lip was the most predominant injury to structures of the oral cavity, accounting for 62.8% of the dental injuries. The peak month for dental injuries was June, and 61.2% of the dental injuries occurred in the home.