Maxillofacial injuries in women victims of domestic violence examined at the Forensic Institute: a retrospective study

Violence against women is a global public health issue. In physical aggression, the head and neck are the most affected areas and can get lifelong sequelae. The aim of this study was to analyze the type, prevalence and quantification of damage related to oral and maxillofacial injuries in women victims of domestic violence treated at the Forensic Dentistry of the Afrânio Peixoto Medical-Legal Institute (IML-AP), over a period of 5 years. A survey was carried out in the Occurrence Records and Expert Reports of the IML-AP Forensic Dentistry Service. 200 reports of female victims were evaluated, excluding cases of non-cohabiting aggressors or non-first-degree family members, child abuse, and those under legal confidentiality. The majority of victims were between 18 and 39 years old (62%), high school graduates (34%), attacked at home (64.5%) by their companions (50%) and bodily force caused the injuries (84 .5%). In 69% of the assaulted women there were injuries in the oral cavity and, mainly, to soft tissue (73.5%). Ecchymosis was the most common (59%). In dental tissues, fracture (24.5%) and dislocation (18.5%) were more prevalent, especially in the upper central incisors. In 45.5% the damage was considered mild, in 15% permanent weakness and in 7.5% permanent deformity. It is concluded that in the Forensic Dentistry Service of IML-AP, in 5 years, domestic violence against women produced simple and reversible soft tissue injuries, as well as bone and dental fractures that can impair lifelong masticatory, phonetic and aesthetic function.