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A series of 1,420 Dutch patients with facial fractures was compared with series from three other European countries. Special attention is paid to the patterns of the facial fractures and the cause of those injuries. The majority of the fractures in all four countries were caused by traffic accidents. The age of the Dutch patients at the time of accident as well as the localization of the mandibular fractures differed from the ages and localizations of the patients in the other three countries. Manifold associated injuries occurred in combination with facial fractures. The need for treatment of facial fractures in well-equipped centers is important and cooperation with other specialiies is very often necessary.

This is a study of 1,404 patients with maxillo-facial injuries treated at the Dental Clinic, Singapore General Hospital during the period January 1977 to December 1979. The significant features in the pattern of injuries in this group of patients are: 1. the commonest causes of maxillo-facial injuries are falls from height and automobile accidents. 2. the age group most affected is 0 to 39 years. 3. a high incidence in males (72.2%). The various modalities of treatment are also reviewed. Recent trends in the management of complex maxillo-facial fractures have significantly reduced the period of hospitalisation.

War wounds are characterized by devitalized tissue, the presence of debris, and contamination by bacteria--factors that contribute to the establishment of wound infection. A review of the literature regarding the incidence of wound infection in recent military conflicts strongly suggests that infection in open war wounds occurs with relative frequency despite strict adherence to the principles of surgical debridement and administration of "prophylactic" antibiotics. Further research leading to improved methods of preventing wound sepsis is warranted in order to reduce the incidence of wound infections in the future.

This is a retrospective study of 80 patients with major central and lateral middle third fractures of facial skeleton treated at University Hospital from 1981 to 1985. The most common was the fractures of zygomatic complex. The peak incidence was in the 20-29 year age group and males were involved more than females (ratio 9: 1). Road traffic accidents were to be blamed for most of the fractures which was 82.25%.

The present study describes the experiences and results of the first 5-year period of a municipal dental clinic offering free dental care to drug addicts. One of the many problems was the instability of this socially deprived group whose erratic life style made it impossible to maintain regular dental care. The DMFS level of the drug addicts was 50.2 and mean caries increment per yr was 2.5 (1.3 new surfaces and 1.2 surfaces with recurrent decay). The caries increments among the present drug abusers and the individuals on methadone maintenance were higher than among the previous drug addicts, 3.1 and 1.3 surfaces per yr respectively, but this difference was not statistically significant. Only slight improvement in oral hygiene (VPI) could be demonstrated whereas gingivitis (BI) remained unaltered. Traumatic injuries of the orofacial region were frequent. The mean time expenditure concerning dental treatment was 5 hr per individual in the initial treatment phase but decreased to 1-2 h per individual per yr. Broken appointments and last minute cancellations were as a rule related to drug/alcohol abuse. The mean number of fillings was 8.2 per individual in the initial treatment phase and 1.7 per yr for individuals in a maintenance phase. The poor dental health of the drug addicts seems closely related to their life style habits and the clue to an improvement would probably follow the cure of the drug abuse and a concurrent resocialization.

Recent reports have shown an increase of oral and maxillofacial injuries caused by sports activities. In European and American countries, mouthguards are the popular measure against these injuries. The purpose of this study was to survey the rate of incidence of oral and maxillofacial injuries caused by contact sports, the diffusion and the evaluation of mouthguards and the interest in mouthguards in Japan. Questionnaires were sent to 244 Rugby football teams in Aichi prefecture and 27 American football teams in the Tokai area. We received replies from 153 Rugby football teams and 17 American football teams, and the results were as follows: 1) The rate of incidence of oral and maxillofacial injuries was 239 players out of 4721 players, which means 5.1% in Rugby football and 22 players out of 428 players, which means 5.1% in American football. 2) The diffusion of mouthguards was 20 out of 153 teams in Rugby football and 16 out of 17 teams in American football. And most of them are using commercially available mouthguards. 3) Almost all teams were not satisfied with their mouthguards and complained of speaking difficulties, discomfort and easy dislocation. 4) Almost all teams desire the improvement of mouthguards. 5) Teams with no experience of mouthguards were very much interested in the use of mouthguards but they do not have enough information about mouthguards. 6) We have to enlighten players and their instructors about mouthguards and diffuse the use of mouthguards more positively to contact sports players.

Authors have compared the cases of maxillo-facial fractures that have been admitted in the Maxillo-Facial department during a six months period before and after the mandatory use of helmets; that is from January through June in the years 1986 and 1987. A decrease in the number of injured (- 13.3%) and also a rate change was noted: the motorcycle drivers lost a 20.1%, while the adults who drove the motorbikes increased; a raise was found in the bicycle too (+ 8.7%). The lesions of the mandibular increased from 36.7% to 46.1% due to the protection offered to the maxilla by the helmets.

This epidemiologic study of accidental dentofacial injuries to U.S. Army personnel was conducted to determine the frequency and distribution patterns of accidental dentofacial injuries to soldiers. Administratively, it was anticipated that this data would permit identification of high-risk groups and would suggest feasible preventive measures. This 9-month study was conducted on 16 Army posts with a combined population at risk of 210,500 soldiers; a standardized data collection form was completed by the dental corps officer treating the injury case and then was mailed to a central collection site for analysis. The data from this dentofacial injury study clearly reveal that differential risks exist for various military subpopulations. While the overall U.S. Army accidental dentofacial injury rate was 37.7 cases/10,000/year, this rate varied greatly for specific subgroups with high-risk factors including young males, lower enlisted ranks, recent recruits, and combat training posts. The primary specific causes of these injuries were fistfights (nearly 30%), sports (over 20%), and vehicles (about 15%).