Treatment delays in paediatric dento-alveolar trauma at a tertiary referral hospital.
BACKGROUND
Paediatric dento-alveolar trauma is a common event. Delays in treatment can have adverse effects on long term outcomes and the aim of this study was to quantify the treatment delays in paediatric dento-alveolar trauma in a tertiary referral hospital.


METHODS
All cases of paediatric dento-alveolar trauma over a two year period from July 2000 to June 2002 were identified and the charts were reviewed retrospectively. All children presenting to the emergency department with dento-alveolar trauma within 48 hours of injury during the time period were included.


RESULTS
Forty-three patients were identified. The average age was 5.51 years, though there was a bias towards one and two year olds. Males were injured 1.5 times more frequently than females. There was an average delay of 9.6 hours between injury and treatment for all patients. Transit time from outside practitioners to hospital and waiting times in hospital made up the greatest delays. Children injured an average of 2.37 teeth and only 14 per cent were uncomplicated crown fractures.


CONCLUSIONS
Children who present to children's hospitals for treatment of dento-alveolar trauma have more severe injuries than those treated elsewhere. They have large but potentially reducible delays between injury and treatment.
Batstone
M D
MD
Royal Brisbane, Royal Children's Hospitals. martin_batstone@health.qld.gov.au
Waters
C
C
Porter
S A T
SA
Monsour
F N T
FN
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003796:Dental Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010519:Periodontium / Q000293:injuries*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014084:Tooth Avulsion / Q000145:classification; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000293:injuries; D014082:Tooth Fractures / Q000145:classification; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data