Frequency of Dental Trauma in Cases of Assault and Domestic Abuse: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Assault and domestic abuse are significant public health concerns worldwide, often resulting in various physical injuries, including dental trauma. Understanding the frequency of dental trauma in these contexts is crucial for targeted healthcare interventions.Objective: To determine the frequency of dental trauma among victims of assault and domestic abuse.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi from June 2023 to June 2024. All patients presenting with assault and domestic violence were evaluated for dental trauma, excluding those with injuries due to poor periodontal conditions or self-inflicted trauma. Comprehensive clinical and radiological assessments were performed, and forensic dental reports were documented. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, with descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests applied to assess associations, considering p ≤ 0.05 as significant.Results: Out of 105 patients (mean age 36.18 ± 13.83 years), 81.9% were male. Dental trauma was observed in 71.4% of cases, with no significant association between gender and type of trauma (p = 0.821).Conclusion: The high frequency of dental trauma among assault and domestic abuse victims highlights the need for integrated medical and dental interventions to improve victim care.