Dental injuries with kick-scooters in 6- to 12-year-old children

Elementary Teacher's Perception of Oral Health Education in a City of the Brazilian Amazon: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study aimed to evaluate the level of oral health knowledge among teachers in a city of the Brazilian Amazon region (Belem, Pará) and explore the association between teachers' knowledge and their proposed actions in the event of dental trauma accidents within the school environment. The descriptive cross-sectional study involved 170 elementary teachers from public schools in the Metropolitan Region of Belem, Para State, Brazil. A self-administered questionnaire with multiple-choice questions was utilized to assess teachers' oral health knowledge across various domains. The questionnaire comprised seven targeted sections: the first section focused on demographic and professional aspects of the educators, while the remaining six sections addressed the oral health knowledge related to oral health education, dental caries, dental trauma (specifically dental avulsion), periodontal disease, visits to the dentist, and the educator's role in promoting oral health. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and χ 2 tests using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS; 20.0 version). Most of the sample were female (92.2%) and around 41-60 years (36.0%). Most teachers had over 5 years of teaching experience (87.0%) and held an undergraduate degree (63.0%). A significant association was found between teaching experience and the choice of storage method for avulsed teeth following dental trauma (p=0.005). However, the teachers examined in this study exhibited inadequate knowledge concerning the appropriate treatment for cavities and the recommended age for a child's first dental appointment. These findings underscore the crucial role teachers play in promoting oral health among students, particularly in regions characterized by social inequality and limited access to basic sanitation and healthcare services.

Comparison of characteristics of kick- and electric-scooter-related dental and maxillofacial injuries: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND/AIM

Owing to the nearly three-year-long COVID-19 pandemic, small personal transportation devices that allow for greater freedom of movement within the cities have gained attention. Therefore, the number of people using kick or electric scooters has increased. This study aimed to compare the characteristics of kick and electric scooter-related dental and maxillofacial trauma and provide helpful information for preventing scooter accidents, appropriate treatment of patients with scooter-related trauma, and policy establishment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective observational study analysed the medical records of 310 patients who visited the emergency room of Ajou University Dental Hospital for kick and electric scooter-related oral and maxillofacial injuries between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2022. Sex, age, scooter type, time, and mechanism of the accident, helmet use, alcohol consumption, dental and maxillofacial injury types, and treatment were analysed.

RESULTS

The average age in the kick-scooter group (5.71 ± 4.25) was lower than that in the electric-scooter group (28.24 ± 10.02) (p < .0001). There were more males in both groups. The helmet usage rates of the two groups were 2.80% and 7.88%, respectively. In the kick-scooter group, periodontal damage was more common than pulp injury, while in the electric-scooter group, pulp injury was more common than periodontal injury. There was no significant difference in soft-tissue damage between the two groups; however, bone fractures occurred significantly more frequently in the electric-scooter group (p < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Electric scooters cause more crown and bone fractures than kick scooters and require more active treatment of dental and maxillofacial injuries. Riders should use protective equipment to prevent dental and maxillofacial injury. Although there are regulations related to scooters, the effectiveness of both kick- and electric-scooter related laws needs to be evaluated.

Non-motorised active mobility device use by children in Singapore: Injury patterns and risk factors for severe injury

INTRODUCTION

Wheeled recreational devices (WRDs) include tricycles, bicycles, scooters, inline skates, skateboards, longboards and waveboards, and can cause significant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology and nature of injuries sustained by children from WRD use, and risk factors for severe injury.

METHOD

We described injuries relating to WRD use in children <18 years who presented to the emergency department of an Asian tertiary hospital between 2016 and 2020. Demographic data, site and nature of the injury, and historical trends were analysed. Risk factors for severe injury (defined as fractures or dislocations), Injury Severity Score ≥9, and injuries resulting in hospitalisation, surgery or death were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 5,002 patients with 5,507 WRD-related injuries were attended to over the 5-year study period. Median age was 4.7 years. Injuries related to bicycles (54.6%) and scooters (30.3%) were most frequent, followed by skateboards and waveboards (7.4%), inline skates (4.7%), and tricycles (3.0%). Injuries occurred most frequently in public spaces. Soft tissue injuries (49.3%) and fractures (18.7%) were the most common diagnoses. Upper limb (36.4%) and head and neck (29.0%) regions were the most common sites of injury. Among the patients, 1,910 (38%) had severe injuries with potential morbidity. On multivariate analysis, heavier children of the school-going age who use either scooters, skateboards or inline skates are more prone to severe injuries. Involvement in a vehicular collision was a negative predictor.

CONCLUSION

WRD use in children can result in severe injuries. Wrist and elbow guards, as well as helmets are recommended, along with adequate parental supervision.

Balance bike injuries: A retrospective chart review

AIM

To determine the characteristics of balance bike injuries.

METHODS

This study retrospectively identified patients injured while riding a balance bike and treated at one paediatric emergency department in urban Japan, from February 2015 to July 2020. Data extracted were patient age and sex, circumstances and location of the injury occurrence, helmet use, adult supervision, injury type and body site, treatment and emergency department disposition. Based on these data and the balance bike manual instructions, cases were classified as correct and incorrect balance bike use.

RESULTS

The study assessed 78 patients, age 2-6 years (median 3 years; 73% male). Of these 78 patients, 63 did not follow balance bike manual instructions (80.8%); 34 (43.6%) were injured while riding in prohibited places of use; 45 (57.7%) were injured in prohibited situations of use; and 37 (47.4%) were injured despite adult supervision. A total of 124 injuries were noted; the most common injured body site was the face (49 injuries, 39.5%), followed by the head (40 injuries, 32.3%). Most injuries were contusions and abrasions (65 injuries, 52.4%). More serious injuries were intensive care unit admission with intracerebral haemorrhage (1 patient) and lateral condyle fracture with surgical repair (1 patient).

CONCLUSIONS

Most of the 78 balance bike injuries (76 patients) were mild; 2 were more severe and required intensive care unit admission or operation. Parents must be aware of the rules and instructions for balance bike use and ensure that their children can use the balance bike correctly.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race: A Comparative Analysis of Standing Electric Scooters’ European Regulations Integrated with the Aspect of Forensic Traumatology

Fuel-driven cars are widely considered unsustainable and contrary to the new paradigm of smart growth planning. The need to reform transport behavior, policies, and infrastructure is among the priorities in urban policies around the world. Electric vehicles are an emerging technology that could advance sustainability programs. In the past year, there has been a rapid increase in the diffusion of electric scooters in several European cities, but various states have been unprepared for the rapid spread of green micro-mobility from a regulatory point of view. In addition, in parallel with the spread, there have been numerous road collisions involving standing electric scooters. The aim of this study was to obtain a detailed view of this phenomenon. We focused on the current legislation on electric micro-mobility at the European level to study and summarize the different attitudes adopted by various states whose regulations are present on the web. (It was not possible to evaluate the regulations of all European countries because they are not all available on online platforms.) The elements assessed in the various regulation were age limits, speed limits, compulsory use of helmets, administrative penalties, and the obligation to insure the new e-vehicle (standing scooter). In this study, we analyze the state of the art in electric micro-mobility, highlight the current situation’s limits, and propose new strategies to adequately integrate this new smart vehicle into the urban transport network.

Unpowered Scooter Injury in Children at a Korea Level I Trauma Center

Purpose: Unpowered scooters for recreation and transportation are popular among children. However, to date, there have been no studies on scooter-related injuries in Korea. This study aimed to assess the frequency and injury pattern with unpowered scooters and to propose prevention strategies. Methods: Medical records of children aged <16 years with unpowered scooter-related injuries who visited the emergency department (ED) from 2007 to 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: A total of 109 children were included. The majority (78.9%) of injuries occurred during the last 3 years of the study. The mean age was 5.2 years, and 88% of children were <8 years of age. Most injuries (80.7%) occurred from a fall off a scooter. A total of 65.1% (n = 71) of injuries were to the head and face, followed by upper limb, lower limb, and torso injuries. Eight patients had an intracranial injury and skull fracture. Twenty children had limb fractures, and the most common site of fracture was the elbow. None of the patients wore any protective gear. Conclusions: Unpowered scooter-related injuries are on the increase and represent a serious problem among younger children. The head and face, where serious injuries can occur, are the most vulnerable. Public and parental awareness and education regarding protective gear and safety guidelines are essential to prevent injuries.

Injury Prevention, Safety Education and Violence in Relation to the Risk of Tooth Fracture among Korean Adolescents

This study aimed to determine the injury prevention-, safety education-, and violence-related factors pertaining to tooth fracture experience (TFE) in Korean adolescents. We used data from the 14th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey (KYRBS) in 2018. The 60,040 participants were selected using a complex sampling design from middle and high schools. The participants completed a self-administered questionnaire. The explanatory variables, including school safety education and violence, were assessed in relation to prevention of traumatic injuries. Complex-samples multivariable logistic regression models were applied to explain the factors related to TFE over the past 12 months. The overall prevalence of TFE was 11.4%. Risk factors related to tooth fractures were not wearing a seatbelt on an express bus, not wearing helmets while riding motorcycles and bicycles, clinical treatment due to injuries at school, injuries associated with earphone/smartphones use, and lack of school safety education such as danger evacuation training. The top risk factor was injuries associated with earphone/smartphone usage, followed by lack of familiarity with school safety education. Thus, to prevent tooth fractures among adolescents, schools should strengthen their safety education, including education regarding mobile device usage, and wearing a seatbelt and wearing a helmet. Care should be taken to manage facilities around the school and to prevent injury related to tooth fracture. Further studies on various risk factors related to tooth fractures are warranted.

Push scooter-related injuries in adults: an underestimated threat? Two decades analysed by an emergency department in the capital of Switzerland

Background

The number of people conducting cycling and skating sports in Switzerland is rising; likewise, we notice an increase in patients visiting our emergency department for adults due to push scooter accidents. In 2001, our emergency department published the first article worldwide on push scooter-related injuries. Nearly two decades later, we want to review the interim period-collect data, compare it with other studies and evaluate the current impact of push scooter accidents in our adult patient population.

Objective

To investigate data on the incidence, severity, treatment and approximate costs of push scooter-related injuries in adults who presented to our emergency department from 2000 to 2017.

Materials and methods

For this descriptive retrospective study, data were collected in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Inselspital (University Hospital), Berne, Switzerland, from October 2000 to September 2017. We used two clinical reporting systems during that period: Qualicare from 2000 to April 2012 and Ecare from May 2012 to 2017.

Results

165 patients were included, aged 16-80 years. The accidents were mainly classified as unspecified falls in 139 cases (84.24%). 21 patients (12.73%) were wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, while the remaining 144 (87.27%) were not. The most common injuries suffered were fractures in 73 patients (44.24%). 92 patients (55.76%) sustained an impact to the head. The most common treatment was surgery in the operating theatre (59 patients, 35.76%). The mean total cost per case was SFr7566.65 (emergency room visit, hospital stay and outpatient controls for the initial case).

Conclusion

The incidence of push scooter-related injuries in adults in our patient population is small but rising. Nevertheless, the resulting injuries are potentially life-threatening and can lead to persistent medical impairment.

Traumatic dental injury research: on children or with children?

BACKGROUND AND AIM

It is widely acknowledged that children should participate in healthcare decisions, service development and even setting research agendas. Dental traumatology is a major component of paediatric dentistry practice and research. However, little is known about young patients' contribution to new knowledge in this field. The aim of the study was to establish the extent to which children are involved in contemporary dental trauma research and to evaluate the quality of the related literature.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A systematic review of the dental trauma literature was conducted from 2006 to 2014. The electronic databases, MEDLINE and Scopus, were used to identify relevant studies. The selected papers were independently examined by five calibrated reviewers. Studies were categorized by the degree of children's involvement and appraised using a validated quality assessment tool.

RESULTS

The initial search yielded 4374 papers. After application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, only 96 studies remained. Research on children accounted for 87.5% of papers, and a proxy was involved in 4.2%. Children were engaged to some degree in only 8.3% of studies, and there were no studies where children were active research participants. In the quality assessment exercise, papers scored, on average, 57% (range = 14-86%).

CONCLUSION

There is scope to encourage more active participation of children in dental trauma research in the future. Furthermore, there are some areas where the quality of research could be improved overall.