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CHAPTER 105 ■ DENTAL TRAUMA
ZAMEERA FIDA, ISABELLE I. CHASE, BONNIE L. PADWA

GOALS OF EMERGENCY CARE
Proper diagnosis and management of traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) are
essential to improve prognosis. Identifying which injuries require immediate
referral to a dentist is important for emergency physicians. Since dental injuries
involve the head and neck, concomitant neurologic evaluation is an important
aspect of emergency care. Although the majority of injuries are the result of
accidents, the patient’s history must be carefully reviewed in the context of the
physical findings to determine if presenting injuries could be a result of
nonaccidental trauma, that is, abuse.
KEY POINTS
TDIs are common pediatric emergencies.
Neurologic assessment is an important part of management as injury
has been sustained in the head and neck region.
Jaw fractures, avulsed and displaced teeth, and dental fractures with
exposed nerves (pulp) require immediate referral to a specialist.
RELATED CHAPTERS
Resuscitation and Stabilization
A General Approach to the Ill or Injured Child: Chapter 7
Medical, Surgical, and Trauma Emergencies
Child Abuse/Assault: Chapter 87
ENT Trauma: Chapter 106
Facial Trauma: Chapter 107
Minor Trauma: Chapter 110
Dental Emergencies: Chapter 117
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Clinical Pathway