Prevalence of traumatic dental injuries among visually impaired children attending special schools of Chhattisgarh

• Main Authors: Harsha Munot, Alok Avinash, Nilotpol Kashyap, Rashmi Baranwal, Brij Kumar, Maylavarapu Krishna Sagar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2017-01-01
• Series: Journal of Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry
• Subjects: Lip coverage; overjet; traumatic dental injuries; visually impaired
• Online Access: http://www.jisppd.com/article.asp?issn=0970-4388;year=2017;volume=35;issue=3;spage=209;epage=215;aulast=Munot
• ISSN: 0970-4388; 1998-3905

Background: Studies on dental trauma of the normal population have been carried out in the past; however, limited data are available on dental trauma of the handicapped population, especially visually impaired children in Chhattisgarh, India. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) in visually impaired children in relation to age, cause, and place of injury. Materials and Methods: Epidemiological study was carried out among 400 children from various special schools of visually impaired children of Chhattisgarh followed by school dental checkup camps. All the children completed a questionnaire related history of trauma, cause, and place. The prevalence of TDIs in each special child was recorded based on the Epidemiological classification of TDIs by the WHO and was modified by Andreasen et al. (2007). Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 17. The level of significance was fixed at P ≤ 0.05. Association between categorical variables was done using Chi-square test. Results: The results showed that out of 400 children, 39% suffered from TDIs. Permanent maxillary central incisors were most commonly injured teeth with injuries involving enamel (53%) being most frequently observed. Increased overjet and inadequate lip coverage were significantly associated with the occurrence of trauma. Conclusion: As blind children are at the risk of multiple TDI, it is necessary to create awareness, health education, and periodic screening for appropriate management.