Therapeutic and economic implications of traumatic dental injuries in Denmark: an estimate based on 7549 patients treated at a major trauma centre.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the type and extent of injuries presented by patients seeking treatment for traumatic dental injuries at a major trauma centre. Furthermore, to analyse acute and subsequent treatment demands and treatment costs.


METHODS
A therapeutic and economic analysis was performed of 7549 patients treated for traumatic dental injuries in a major trauma centre located at the University Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark. Cases were divided into uncomplicated (concussion, subluxation, enamel and enamel-dentine fractures) and complicated cases (crown fractures with exposed pulps and crown-root fractures, luxation injuries with displacement of the tooth and bone fractures).


RESULTS
Primary tooth injuries were found in 2874 patients, involving 5443 teeth, among which 62.8% had complicated injuries. Permanent tooth injuries were found in 4525 patients, involving 10,673 teeth, among which 40.4% had complicated injuries. The cost of treatment (including acute trauma service, follow-up and subsequent restoration) was estimated to be 0.6-1 mill USD a year for the patients treated in this trauma centre. If this figure is transferred to the estimated trauma population in Denmark, a yearly cost of traumatic dental injuries appears to range from 2 to 5 mill USD per 1 mill inhabitants per year according to the treatment scenario.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, treatment of traumatic dental injuries comprises an expensive part of the health services in Denmark.
Borum
M K
MK
Municipal Dental Service, Taastrup, Denmark.
Andreasen
J O
JO
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D019229:Dentition, Permanent; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous