Abstract
Welcome to this “Dental Trauma” themed issue of the Primary Dental Journal. This issue presents a series of articles written by leading UK based experts in the field of Dental Traumatology. Traumatic dental injuries are now recognised as the fifth most prevalent injury worldwide. 1 The presentation of patients with dental trauma in the general dental practice setting is commonly unscheduled and management of acute dental trauma can be a stressful experience for the dental practitioner and a daunting challenge for dental nurses and reception staff. The presenting patient is often distressed, in pain and can arrive at any point during the day, making management of such patients particularly challenging. Patients’ behavioural issues can further complicate management of dental injuries.
The initial management and subsequent maintenance of traumatised teeth requires adequate knowledge of the injury, exceptional clinical skills and appropriate short- and long-term follow up. Failure to address the acute dental trauma in a prompt and appropriate manner could have devastating and far-reaching consequences, including pain, functional and aesthetic concerns as well as psychological issues affecting the patient. The role of the dental practitioner is therefore pivotal and crucial in affecting the long-term outcome of treatment and potentially the patient’s quality of life.
Besides offering an up-to-date review on the prevention of traumatic dental injuries, the articles included in this issue outline the different types of trauma in both the primary and permanent dentitions, provide contemporary information and guidance on dental trauma management based on the recent International Association for Dental Traumatology (IADT) guidelines, address safeguarding and behavioural management issues in the paediatric patient, and discuss the short- and longer-term management and follow up for varying types of dental trauma within general dental practice for better outcomes for patients.
When I asked Dr Beth Burns, lead consultant in restorative dentistry and dental trauma at Glasgow Dental Hospital, to guest edit this themed issue of the journal it became strikingly apparent that we both share the vision of enhancing and promoting the prevention, proper management, and adequate follow up of dental traumatic injuries in the primary care setting.
I am thankful to Beth and all contributing authors for producing such wealth of excellent, interesting, and informative articles which can serve as a guide for general dental practice. Beth and the contributing authors have excelled in achieving our joint vision to reduce anxiety for the general dental practice team by providing relevant and useful information alongside guidelines to assist in manging patients who have sustained traumatic dental injuries. I am certain readers will find the collection of articles in this issue of interest and will be able to glean useful tips for the next time you will be presented with a patient suffering from acute dental trauma.