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Porritt JM, Rodd HD et al. Int J Paediatr Dent 2015; 25: 267–281

How do children feel about their dental injury and what do their parents think? In this study, children who suffered trauma to their permanent teeth completed several questionnaires exploring, among other issues, health-related quality of life and coping styles. These were answered at baseline and 6 months after trauma. Parents were also invited to complete a questionnaire that explored 'previous stressors/strains on the family, social support, healthcare satisfaction, and family impacts'. This study recruited 108 children and 113 parents. Less than half the participants completed the study. The findings were not surprising. As shown by other studies, females experienced more negative outcomes after dental trauma compared with males. In addition, coping style, social support, and family functioning significantly predicted the child's oral health-related quality of life. If parents were comfortable with the treatment that their child had received, they were satisfied.