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Non suicidal self injury resulting in dental trauma in an adolescent
Preetika Chandna1, Nikhil Srivastava2, Vivek Kumar Adlakha2
1Paedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Applied Psychology, Subharti Dental College, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, India.
Background/Aim:
Non-suicidal self injury may be a possible etiologic factor for dental trauma in adolescents. The aim of this case report is to present a case of non-suicidal self injury resulting in dental trauma in a 16 year old adolescent boy.
Case Report:
This report illustrates a case of non-suicidal self injury in a 16 year old healthy boy with resultant trauma to the maxillary central incisors and the left lateral incisor (teeth 11, 21, and 22). Three tests were applied; Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence™ (WASI), Inventory of Statements about Self Injury (ISAS), and UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale (UPPS); to assess the patient's intellectual and behavioral functioning. Dental treatment was rendered in the form of composite restorations on teeth 11, 21, and 22.
Results And Discussion:
The patient had a general intelligence quotient (IQ) of 92 (SD = 10.9), verbal score of 86.6 (SD = 14.6), and performance IQ of 93.4 (SD = 23.66) which implied that the intelligence levels were well within the normal range. The patient demonstrated self hitting behavior and predominantly intrapersonal functions of his NSSI on testing with the ISAS scale and elevated urgency scores on the UPPS scale. The total UPPS score was 115.9 and urgency score was 35.9. NSSI was an outlet for negative emotions and to release self directed anger. This resulted in dental trauma to teeth 11, 21, and 22.
Conclusion:
NSSI may be an etiologic or risk factor for dental trauma in intellectually normal adolescents as seen in the present case. Self hitting, intrapersonal factors or self directed factors and impulsivity are more likely to predispose an adolescent toward performance of such behavior.