Orofacial Trauma: Assessment and Emergency Management by the Pediatric Dentist
摘要
Traumatology remains one of the most challenging areas of practice particularly when one is confronted with a fear-stricken child reporting to a dental setup with hard or soft tissue trauma extending to orofacial structures like the maxilla, mandible, nasal, or alveolar bone. The role of a Pediatric Dentist in maxillofacial injuries is to make a provisional diagnosis and perform emergency treatment if required. While certain injuries to the dentoalveolar process can be managed by the Pediatric Dentist, more severe maxillofacial injuries are best managed by an Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon, Ear Nose Throat (ENT) surgeon, or Plastic surgeon. It is important for the clinician to have a basic understanding of the probable treatment to address the concerns of the anxious parents.