INTRODUCTION: Adopting a classification system of diseases is necessary to perform epidemiological studies of morbidity. In oral and maxillo-facial injuries and in dentistry we may use the International Classification of Diseases for Dentistry and Stomatology (ICD-DA), but the classification is not always appropriate. The objective of the study is to compare the accuracy of the ICD-DA to the International Classification of Diseases-10th Revision (ICD-10) in the classification of diagnoses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 2,372 encounters were analyzed in oral and maxillo-facial care and in dental emergency services, in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. The encounters were codified by both classifications. RESULTS: 1,117 cases were better classified by the dental classification, but in 267 cases the ICD-DA does not offer a code. In 978 cases the details were the same in both classifications.
Maxillofacial injuries; Dental care; Morbidity surveys; International classification of diseases; Dental service; hospital
