Objective: Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) are common in the pediatric population in Saudi Arabia and can significantly affect children’s oral and overall well-being. While global data are widely available, studies on the prevalence and management of TDIs in Saudi Arabia remain limited. The objective of the study is to assess the prevalence, characteristics, management, and outcomes of TDIs among children treated at the National Guard Health Affairs hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective study evaluated records of pediatric patients (aged 1–16 years) with TDIs treated between January 2019 and January 2024 at King Abdulaziz Medical City and King Abdullah Specialized Children Hospital, National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh. Data included demographics, injury characteristics, management, complications, and follow-up outcomes. Cases with incomplete records were excluded. Injuries were classified according to International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) guidelines. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics (version 22.0), with Generalized Estimating Equations used to assess factors influencing treatment decisions, complications, and patient-reported outcomes.
Results: A total of 107 patients with 209 injured teeth were included. Most participants were male (64.5%), as shown in Table 1, with a median age of 6 years and no relevant medical history in 98% of the study population. Falls were the predominant cause (84.2%), mainly occurring at home (81.1%). The upper right central incisor was most affected (25.4%), and uncomplicated crown fractures were the most common injury (20.1%). Most patients (58.1%) presented within 1–24 hours. Conservative management, primarily observation, was the most frequent approach (44.6%). Reported complications included pathological mobility (14 teeth), root resorption (13 teeth), and persistent pain (16 cases). Delayed presentation beyond 24 hours was associated with a higher frequency of complications. Multivariable GEE analysis showed dentition type significantly influenced management decisions (p=0.024) and dental anxiety (p<0.001).
Conclusion: This study highlights patterns in the management of pediatric TDIs in a tertiary care setting. Early presentation and standardized trauma assessment are important to reduce complications and improve outcomes. Further multicenter prospective studies in Saudi Arabia are recommended to enhance prevention and optimize pediatric oral health care.