What Is the Effect of COVID-19 Social Distancing on Oral and Maxillofacial Trauma Related to Domestic Violence?

Purpose: To understand the impact of social distancing policies on the incidence and severity of oral and maxillofacial trauma (OMT) secondary to interpersonal violence (IPV) and domestic violence (DV).

Methods: The authors designed a retrospective cohort study enrolling subjects who presented to an urban Level 1 trauma center in Seattle, WA, for the evaluation and management of OMT between January 1 and December 31 in the years 2018 through 2020. The primary predictor variable was evaluation of OMT during periods with (2020: investigational group) or without (2018 or 2019: control group) social distancing policies in place. The primary outcome variables were the mechanism and severity of injury, defined as IPV, DV or neither, the abbreviated injury scale (AIS) and the injury severity score (ISS). Descriptive, univariate and bivariate analyses were performed with statistical significance at P < .05.

Results: Eight hundred twenty-eight subjects; 737 (89%) IPV and 91(11%) IPV due to DV. The incidence of OMT secondary to IPV or DV was unchanged (P = .81, P = .57 respectively). There was a nonsignificant increase in ISS for IPV (P = .07) and no change for DV (P = .46). AIS scores were unchanged for IPV (P = .36). For DV, AIS scores were lower in 2020 when compared to 2019 (P = .04) but unchanged from 2018 (P = .58). At least half of the DV victims were male (50% in 2018, 59% in 2019, and 53% in 2020). Of these, 65% were under 18, and represented the pediatric majority (62%). A nonsignificant increase in non-white subjects presenting with DV in 2020 (P = .15) was seen.

Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic did not change the number or severity of OMT cases secondary to IPV or DV in this region of Washington. Pediatric males were more likely to be victims of DV.