Jaw fractures in the indigenous and non-indigenous populations of Western Australia: 1999-2003

Little data exist on the analysis of jaw fractures in Australia, and none in Western Australia. This study was a retrospective analysis of all hospitalizations for jaw fractures in Western Australia between the years 1999-2000 and 2002-2003. The aims were to determine the incidence, distribution between males and females, different age groups, aboriginal and non-aboriginal groups, and rural and urban populations. The economic impact of jaw fracture hospitalizations was also determined. Males were more likely (80.4%) than females to be admitted for a jaw fracture. Fractures of the mandible were more common (61.9%) than maxillary fractures (38.1%). Aboriginal persons had nearly 10 times more hospitalization rate than that of non-aboriginal persons. Fracture rates were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in rural (61.9 per 100,000) than in urban areas. Over the 4-year study period the total costs for all jaw fracture hospitalizations exceeded US$ 7.6 million. This study clearly indicates the burden of jaw fractures on the Western Australian population, in terms of physical and economic impact.