Original Research
The epidemiology of oro-facial injuries in rural and metropolitan Queensland, Australia
AUTHORS
Dileep Sharma2,3,4 PhD, Head of Discipline, Oral Health * 
Peter Thomson1 Professor
AFFILIATIONS
1 College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Queensland, Townsville, Qld 4812, Australia
2 School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW 2258, Australia
3 Department of Periodontology, Dr DY Patil Dental College and Hospital, Pimpri, Pune, India
4 SEGi University, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
ACCEPTED: 12 August 2025
Early Abstract:
Background: Oral and Maxillofacial (OMF) injuries encompass all forms of trauma to the tissues of the oro-facial complex, the face, jaws, and mouth. In rural areas, where healthcare access is often limited, OMF injuries pose unique challenges. These challenges are compounded by environmental factors, occupational hazards, and socio-economic disparities, making rural populations particularly vulnerable to such injuries. This study explores the epidemiology and geographical variation of OMF injuries in Queensland, Australia.
Methods: Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit (QISU), a state register with data collected between 2015-2021 for injury from several hospital emergency departments was obtained. Data parameters included patient demographics, mechanism, intent, and location of injury.
Results: The data (n=9095) revealed that OMF injuries are more prevalent in rural areas and increasing in incidence. Those in inner and outer regional areas sustained injuries 1.8-2.2 times more than the metropolitan population and the incidence was 8.7-11.7 times higher in remote and very remote locations (p<0.05). Approximately 70% of injuries occurred amongst males in all populations with peak age of injuries noted as 15-24 years. Assault-related injuries were the predominant cause of injury, notably more common in regional (35.3%) and remote areas (45.7%) compared to metropolitan regions (19.8%) (p<0.05).
Conclusion: High proportion of OMF injuries experienced in rural areas signify a considerable health concern. This may be attributable to engagement in risk-taking behaviours, contributing as aetiology or exacerbators. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions aimed at addressing the mental health and risky behaviour patterns in rural communities. Further research should consider wider aetiological and exacerbating factors including social determinants of health, ethnicity and cultural factors that underlie interpersonal violence in these communities.
Keywords: aetiology, epidemiology, facial fractures, maxillofacial injuries, trauma.