Injuries to Mouth, Face and Jaws

Question 1

what are injuries to mouth, face and jaws categorised as

Answer 1

dentoalveolar injuries
maxillofacial fractures and soft tissue injuries

Question 2

what should you be suspicious of when a patient presents with trauma

Answer 2

NAI - non-accidental injury
take into account behaviour of the patient

Question 3

what are key signs and symptoms of dentoaveolar injuries

Answer 3

pain
bleeding
fracture tooth or loss of tooth structure
increased mobility of teeth
empty tooth socket

Question 4

what are signs and symptoms of maxillofacial injuries

Answer 4

pain exacerbated by movement
bleeding
swelling
occlusion is not right
tooth mobility
paraesthesia

Question 5

what are signs and symptoms of trauma that is specific to bone fracture

Answer 5

nose bleeding
diplopia (double vision)
loss of visual acuity

Question 6

what is the initial assessment of a patient who has had trauma to face/ jaws

Answer 6

determine if patient is in need of emergency medical attention - bleeding is severe and doesn’t stop within 15-20 minutes
patient has lost consciousness
inahalation of tooth fragment

Question 7

what is the procedure for if a permanent tooth has been avulsed

Answer 7

handle tooth by crown
if tooth is dirty wash it with milk
if feasible - replant the tooth in the socket and bite on handkerchief
if cannot replant - store tooth in milk/ saliva and go to dentist (or keep tooth in the inside of the cheek)

Question 8

what should you do if a patient presents with suspected bony fracture

Answer 8

send patient to emergency medical care via NHS24