Methods: A North South Survey of Childrens Oral Health was carried out in Ireland in 2002. A team of trained and calibrated dentists examined a representative sample of 8, 12 and 15 year old subjects in the ROI, N=10814 and NI, N=1279.
Results: The percentage of children with trauma in ROI and NI (excluding enamel fracture and discoloration) was 1.6% and 1.3% respectively for 8 year olds, P=0.459, 6.4% and 4.9% respectively for 12 year olds, P=0.324 and 9.3% and 6.3% respectively for 15 year olds, P=0.018 (chi2 ).
Conclusions: The percentage of children with trauma is higher in ROI than in NI. This difference is significant in the 15 year old group. Identification of the source of this difference may help in prevention of trauma in ROI in the future.