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.