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 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