Homeless people are usually more exposed to traumatic events that may cause dental injuries than those with more stable housing. Previous studies on the oral health condition of this population group have shown high levels of dental caries, periodontal diseases, and tooth loss, but evidence on dental trauma is scarce. Furthermore, there is no report from Latin American countries. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of untreated traumatic dental injuries (TDI) among adult homeless people in a Brazilian capital city. A sample of 102 adults attending a public homeless shelter was clinically examined using the criteria of the 2010 Brazilian National Oral Health Survey. TDI was found in 10.8% of the participants, and the most common types of injury were enamel-dentin fractures and avulsion. The overall prevalence was relatively low, but the proportion of anterior tooth loss due to trauma and other reasons shows the need for more appropriate health care for this vulnerable population group.
Keywords: dental trauma; homeless persons; oral health.
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