Ana Beatriz Cantao Liran Levin Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive form of gender-based violence rooted in structural gender inequalities, power imbalances, and patriarchal norms 1, 2. Globally, approximately one in three women experiences IPV during their lifetime, highlighting its significant public health impact 2-4. Physical assaults related to IPV frequently involve the head, neck, and face, often resulting in maxillofacial trauma, dental injuries, and other oral health consequences that may require clinical care 1, 2, 5-7. Despite these impacts, individuals experiencing IPV, particularly racialized and immigrant women, often face barriers when accessing oral healthcare services due to systemic inequities, socioeconomic challenges, and the separation of oral healthcare from broader healthcare systems 6, 8-10. As a result, oral health remains largely overlooked in many discussions surrounding IPV response and survivor support. In this issue, Chadambuka et al. partnered with the Restoring Smiles program, and explored barriers and facilitators influencing access to oral healthcare among racialized women with lived experiences of IPV, guided by principles of Community-Based Participatory Research. The study involved interviews with women and five focus group discussions with dentists and shelter providers in Canada 11. By incorporating perspectives from both survivors and service providers, the authors highlight the need for greater recognition of oral health in responses to IPV. This study also underscores the importance of advancing policies and clinical practices that address structural inequities, strengthen access to oral healthcare services, and promote compassionate, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed approaches in dental care settings. Traumatic dental injury (TDI) in early childhood represents a significant clinical and public health concern 12-14, as it may lead to pain, functional limitations, esthetic problems, and potential complications affecting the development of permanent dentition 14-16. Parental awareness is important for the timely management of these injuries, particularly in preschool and early school-aged children, as prompt recognition and intervention can prevent long-term complications and optimize outcomes 17-19. Even with the critical importance of caregiver involvement, studies indicate that parents often have limited knowledge regarding the recognition and appropriate management of it, which can delay care and affect prognosis 17, 20. In this issue, Rodrigues et al. conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate factors associated with parents' recognition of TDIs in children aged 3–5 years 21. This research emphasizes the importance of strengthening caregiver education and public health strategies aimed at improving early detection, management, and prognosis of dental trauma in young children. Further in this issue, Tıraşçı et al. conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate parents' awareness, perceptions, and decision-making regarding Enamel-Dentin Fractures in children's teeth, using surveys and observational methods to identify factors influencing care-seeking 22. By examining these determinants, the study presented the essential role of caregiver education and targeted public health strategies in supporting early intervention, guiding clinical decision-making, and improving oral health outcomes for children. The researchers also assessed parental knowledge regarding dental trauma and highlighted critical gaps that require attention to enhance awareness and ensure timely management of pediatric dental injuries. A common challenge in Dental Traumatology education is the gap between theoretical lectures and the development of clinical skills, particularly in areas where dentists have limited opportunities for direct TDI treatment experience 23-27. Traditional lecture-based approaches remain the dominant model of teaching, often emphasizing knowledge acquisition over the application of skills in realistic clinical contexts 28-30. This challenge can prevent the development of students' confidence in their ability to manage complex TDI cases, affecting their preparedness for independent practice and patients' prognoses 31, 32. Moreover, opportunities to build competence through direct clinical experience, key sources of professional confidence, are not typically available across training programs, highlighting a structural limitation within current educational models 33, 34. In this issue, Reymus et al. examine the impact of simulation-based, hands-on training on undergraduate dental students' self-perceived competence using a structured educational intervention 35. In this study, the authors adopted an intervention that integrates both theoretical instruction and practical clinical approaches using 3-d printed models simulating tooth injuries. This study shows the benefits of integrating simulation-based, hands-on training using clinical simulations into dental students' curricula to enhance students' self-perceived competence and clinical management. The effective management of TDI is critical for achieving favorable prognostic outcomes 19, 27, 36, 37. In school settings, where such incidents frequently occur, timely and appropriate response depends not only on clinical knowledge but also on the preparedness and responsiveness of non-healthcare professionals, particularly teachers 19, 38-40. However, this responsibility is challenged by variations in training, communication styles, and familiarity with emergency protocols, particularly within increasingly diverse and multi-generational educational workforces 19, 41, 42. Despite growing recognition of the role of teachers in emergency response 19, 39-41, important gaps remain in understanding how generational differences may influence knowledge, attitudes, and decision-making in such contexts. In this issue, Öter et al. address this gap by investigating generational variations among primary school teachers in their knowledge, awareness, and preparedness to manage traumatic oral and dental injuries, using a cross-sectional survey design 43. Their results show the importance of adapting educational strategies and professional development initiatives to diverse learner profiles, with implications for improving preparedness and response to health emergencies in school settings. Facial trauma represents a significant public health concern, with far-reaching functional, aesthetic, psychological, and socioeconomic consequences 44-47. Epidemiology can be influenced by contextual factors, including environmental conditions, occupational practices, and access to healthcare, which can vary substantially across regions 46-49. In geographically and socioeconomically distinct settings, such as remote areas, daily subsistence activities and modes of transportation may introduce unique risk patterns that are not fully captured in broader epidemiological studies 50, 51. Despite existing research describing general patterns of facial trauma, limited attention has been given to how specific regional and cultural contexts influence trauma etiology and associated clinical outcomes. In this issue, Meira et al. investigated the relationship between trauma etiology and clinical characteristics of facial fractures in the Amazon region, using a retrospective analysis conducted at a regional Urgency and Emergency Hospital 52. By focusing on a population shaped by distinct environmental and occupational exposures, the authors' findings underscore the need for public health strategies, emphasizing that prevention and management approaches must align with the social, cultural, and environmental realities of the populations. TDI may result from several different causative factors, including health conditions such as visual or hearing impairments, as well as social, environmental, and economic conditions 12, 53-57. Even though these conditions are not uncommon, especially in young children, the way multiple contributing factors combine to affect an individual's risk is still not fully understood. Recent developments in data science, particularly machine learning, offer promising tools for predicting health outcomes 49, 58, 59. However, their use with longitudinal data to predict TDI remains limited. In this issue, Ju et al. addressed this gap by developing predictive models for TDI in Australian children using longitudinal cohort data and multiple early-life indicators, including ear disease, with analyses conducted across Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations 60. By examining predictive performance across Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups, the authors demonstrate how large-scale, longitudinal data can inform early identification and guide targeted prevention strategies in paediatric oral health. The increasing integration of artificial intelligence into healthcare presents new opportunities for supporting patient education and emergency response, including in dental trauma 58, 59, 61-63. Although clinical guidelines exist for managing dental injuries 26, 64, 65, access to timely and accurate information during the emergency remains a challenge. However, in this issue, Grinberg et al. explored the capability of a publicly available AI platform to provide guidance aligned with international recommendations for avulsion injuries 63. The study evaluated the system's accuracy, highlighting both the potential of AI to deliver fast, accessible, and largely reliable instructions and the limitations that remain, including critical safety checks and the need for multilingual validation. This study underscores the importance of further development and rigorous evaluation of AI tools, as well as the expansion to other types of dental trauma and integration of guideline-linked decision support to ensure safe and effective translation into clinical and public health practice. Radiographic imaging is essential for the evaluation of TDI, as accurate and timely diagnosis is critical to guide appropriate treatment and to optimize patient outcomes 66-70. However, despite its central role, the interpretation of panoramic radiographs remains inconsistent and highly dependent on clinician judgment, with evidence showing that diagnostic performance varies regardless of experience or level of training 68, 70-73. This variability highlights a significant gap in achieving reliable and standardized radiographic assessment, particularly in urgent clinical settings. Moreover, although artificial intelligence has shown increasing potential in diagnostic radiology, its application in the detection and classification of TDI remains limited in the current literature 58, 59, 61, 62, 72, 74. In this issue, Sarıoğlu et al. investigated the use of deep learning-based artificial intelligence models, specifically different versions of the You Only Look Once (YOLO) architecture, to automatically detect and classify traumatic findings on panoramic radiographs using a structured, guideline-informed approach 75. This study presented the potential of artificial intelligence to enhance diagnostic consistency, support clinical decision-making, and improve the timeliness and accuracy of dental trauma management. Dental trauma treatment in developing teeth presents a significant clinical challenge due to its potential to disrupt pulpal vitality and compromise root maturation, particularly in immature permanent teeth with open apices and thin dentinal walls 76-78. Management is highly dependent on anatomical and developmental factors, requiring treatment strategies that both preserve tooth structure and support continued root development, including regenerative endodontic approaches and the use of tricalcium silicate–based materials 79-81. Despite advances in these protocols, uncertainty remains regarding the optimal selection of materials for intracoronal sealing and reinforcement, as current evidence is limited and often based on laboratory models rather than clinical validation 80-83. In this issue, Ozyurek et al. investigate the effects of different tricalcium silicate cements and intraorifice barrier materials on the vertical fracture resistance of simulated immature teeth treated under a regenerative protocol, using a controlled in vitro experimental design 84. The authors highlight ongoing efforts to optimize restorative strategies following regenerative procedures and emphasize the need for further clinical evidence to guide material selection and improve long-term structural outcomes in endodontically treated immature teeth. TDI remains a significant concern in sports dentistry due to its functional consequences, reinforcing the importance of effective preventive strategies 85. While custom-fitted mouthguards are considered the gold standard for protection, their clinical performance depends not only on material properties but also on the integrity of fabrication processes, particularly bonding techniques 86, 87. Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), the most commonly used material, is frequently layered or modified during fabrication 88-91. However, the variability in bonding methods and heat sources may compromise structural cohesion, leading to delamination and reduced durability over time 92, 93. Despite its clinical relevance, evidence on how these factors influence mechanical performance remains limited. In this issue, Siqueira et al. investigate the tensile strength of EVA sheets from different commercial brands subjected to various bonding methods and heating techniques using a controlled in vitro experimental design 94. This study draws attention to the critical role of fabrication protocols in ensuring material reliability and supports efforts to enhance the longevity and effectiveness of custom-fitted mouthguards. The prevention of orofacial injuries is a longstanding priority in dental practice, particularly in athletic populations where maxillofacial trauma can compromise performance, interrupt training, and negatively affect overall well-being 65, 95, 96. Mouthguards are widely recommended as an effective preventive strategy 85, 97-99. However, despite their established protective role, important challenges persist regarding material selection, manufacturing methods, and the absence of standardized criteria for evaluating mechanical performance 97, 98, 100-102. This lack of consensus contributes to variability in device effectiveness and limits the development of optimized, evidence-based designs. In this issue, Goncalves et al. investigated the performance of different polymers using additive manufacturing methods to assess their impact resistance and structural stability in comparison to conventional EVA 103. This study highlights ongoing efforts to refine mouthguard design and material selection, emphasizing the importance of standardized evaluation approaches and advancing the development of more effective, customized protective devices in sports dentistry. TDI requires prompt and well-documented clinical management to support accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and effective follow-up care 70, 104. However, variability in clinicians' familiarity with trauma classification systems, as well as inconsistencies in documentation practices, remain a barrier to achieving standardized care 31, 104. Although electronic health records and patient management systems offer opportunities to improve efficiency, data quality, and continuity of care, their usability challenges and limited alignment with specific clinical workflows may reduce their effectiveness in emergency settings 105, 106. Furthermore, despite the availability of structured classification systems and indices, their integration into routine digital documentation remains insufficiently explored. In this issue, Karaçor and Eden et al. analyzed the current management and documentation practices of dental trauma emergencies and evaluated dentists' experiences with a structured electronic recording tool within a patient management system, using both qualitative and quantitative approaches 107. The authors presented the importance of user-centered design and standardized digital documentation in enhancing clinical workflows, supporting decision-making, and strengthening data quality in dental traumatology. The authors have nothing to report. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Cantao et al. (2026) studied this question.