Parent and caretaker knowledge about avulsion of permanent teeth

Abstract –  Traumatic dentoalveolar injuries are frequent in children and adolescents, affecting teeth, their supporting structures and adjacent soft tissues and contributing to the appearance of major psychosocial and economic problems. Tooth avulsion, the most severe dentoalveolar lesion, is a dental emergency. The prognosis of avulsed teeth significantly depends on prompt and efficient action at the site of the accident, thus requiring that parents or caretakers be knowledgeable about the correct management of this situation. The objective of the present study was to assess the level of knowledge of parents or caretakers concerning the management of tooth avulsion and to investigate the association between level of knowledge and schooling, monthly family income and age. We interviewed 107 parents or caretakers using a 12-item questionnaire comprising objective questions whose answers received a score from 0 to 3. The results show that 99% of those interviewed would immediately seek professional help; however, 71% did not know what avulsion was. Only 3% would use milk as storage medium and 16% would attempt replantation of the avulsed tooth. The distribution of final means for the overall level of parent or caretaker knowledge was 44.63% for score 3, 15.88% for score 2, 17.99% for score 1 and 21.47% for score 0, showing a low level of knowledge concerning tooth avulsion. Schooling, monthly family income and age were not associated with the knowledge scores for any of the 12 questions. The level of parent and caretaker knowledge concerning the management of tooth avulsion is low, without association with age, schooling and monthly family income.     

Evaluating the knowledge of sports participants regarding dental emergency procedures

Abstract –  Dental trauma is a common consequence of sports practice to which emergency treatment is critical. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of sports participants about dental trauma procedures, particularly tooth avulsion. A specific questionnaire concerning concepts, experiences and behaviors after dental trauma and the use of mouthguard was standardized and validated with 80 people. The validated questionnaire was then distributed to 310 sports participants. The results showed that 28.4% had experienced a kind of dental trauma; 42.6% would look for a dentist for treatment; 51.7% reimplanted or would reimplant the avulsed tooth; 6.5% would maintain the avulsed tooth in milk. Although 47.4% of the participants were aware of the possibility of accidents during sports practice, only 13.9% reported to use a mouthguard. This study showed an overall lack of knowledge of sportsmen and sportswomen with regards to tooth avulsion, thus reinforcing the need for educational campaigns to improve the immediate emergency treatment of tooth avulsion.     

Knowledge of oral health professionals of treatment of avulsed teeth

Abstract –  The management and immediate treatment of an avulsed permanent tooth will determine the long-term survival of the tooth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of oral health professionals on the new guidelines for emergency treatment of avulsed teeth. A 12-item questionnaire was distributed among general dentists, specialists, dental hygienists and dental assistants attending Continuing Education courses at the School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, between 2003 and 2004. This study reports only on the general practitioners who comprised 83% of the participants. The results revealed an uneven pattern of knowledge among them regarding the emergency management of an avulsed tooth. Statistically significant associations were related to the participants' previous dental trauma education and their age. In conclusion, there is a need to improve the knowledge of general dentists in the current guidelines for emergency treatment of avulsed teeth.     

Knowledge of first-aid measures of avulsion and replantation of teeth: an interview of 221 Kuwaiti schoolchildren

Abstract –  The prognosis of replantation of an avulsed tooth is determined by which first-aid measures are taken during the first 15 min after avulsion. Knowledge of the correct first-aid measures is therefore crucial to successful replantation. The aims of this study were (i) to assess the present knowledge level of emergency measures for tooth avulsion in Kuwaiti schoolchildren, and (ii) to design and test an interview form with structured standardized questions. A total of 221 Kuwaiti schoolchildren (aged 7–15 years old) were interviewed by professionals using a standardized method to score several areas of knowledge about tooth avulsion and replantation. Earlier experience of first-aid information and subjection to dental trauma was registered. The following fields of knowledge were assessed: general body injury treatment principles, tooth avulsion and replantation principles, avulsed permanent/primary teeth, cleaning of avulsed tooth before replantation, extra alveolar time and storage media. The form for interviewing children proved to be sufficiently structured in performing the interviews and data management. The results of the interviews showed that 30.3% of the children had been exposed to dental trauma in the past. Among children 7–9 years of age, 25% had received information on general first aid as compared with 75% in children 10 years and older. Children 10 years and older, in general, had a high knowledge level of general principles of how to manage injuries to the body. Regardless of age group, there were generally a low knowledge level regarding tooth avulsion, replantation, extra-alveolar time and storage media. We conclude that first-aid knowledge in Kuwaiti schoolchildren is low on avulsion and replantation of teeth despite a high knowledge level of body injuries. The knowledge level of first-aid measures on avulsion and replantation of teeth could be increased through intervention programs.     

First-aid knowledge about tooth avulsion among dentists, doctors and lay people

Abstract –  In avulsion, teeth are bodily displaced out of the bony socket. Boys, aged 7–9 years, are most prone to avulsion of maxillary central incisors. Tooth avulsion should ideally be treated with immediate replantation. Because of the urgency in treatment, personnel dealing with this injury should have knowledge about the first-aid treatment. This study was conducted to assess the first-aid knowledge about tooth avulsion among dentists, doctors, students, school teachers and the general public in Lahore, Pakistan. Data were collected using a form with one open-ended question about the first-aid treatment of traumatic avulsion. Immediate replantation of the avulsed tooth was suggested by 10.1% of 377 respondents. Among dentists, 45.8% suggested immediate replantation, with the rest suggesting transport of the tooth to a dentist for replantation. Among all other groups (non-dentists) immediate replantation was suggested by 4.6% and transport to a dentist by 3.3%. Non-dentists in Pakistan, including doctors, have insufficient knowledge about the immediate treatment of tooth avulsion. Dentists, in comparison, have significantly more knowledge, but may need training in selection of the appropriate treatment option and handling and care of the avulsed tooth.     

Knowledge of emergency management of avulsed teeth: a survey of dentists in Beijing,China

Abstract – Objectives: There is a high frequency of dental trauma cases in China, where tooth avulsion is one of the most serious scenarios. The knowledge of how to take care of an avulsion is of great importance to the outcome of such an injury. This knowledge among dentists in Beijing, China has never been tested before. The purpose of this study was to evaluate professional experience and knowledge of emergency management of dentists working in urban and suburban areas of Beijing, China. Material and Methods: A two‐part questionnaire was distributed to 175 urban and 99 suburban dentists in Beijing. The first part contained personal and professional information of the participating dentists. The second part evaluated dentists’ knowledge about the emergency management of avulsed teeth. Data were entered into a SPSS database and analyzed using the chi‐square test and Fisher’s exact test for each question. Results: All dentists had a college or above degree. Almost five times as many urban dentists compared to suburban dentists presented with a Master or PhD degree. The knowledge levels of the participants presenting with correct answer in the respective knowledge areas were; storage medium (15.8%) intra‐canal medication (45.0%), type of splint (45.1%) and splinting period (10.2%). Significantly more urban dentists (50.6%) compared to suburban dentists (34.8%) (P = 0.016), used calcium hydroxide paste as an intracanal medicament, and significantly more urban dentists (51.3%) than suburban dentists (34.1%) chosed a flexible splint (P = 0.008). Conclusion: The results revealed an uneven pattern of knowledge between urban and suburban dentists regarding the emergency management of avulsed teeth. The study highlighted Chinese dentists’ need for continuing education in order to improve current knowledge in emergency management of avulsed teeth.     

Knowledge of general practitioners dentists about the emergency management of dental avulsion in Curitiba, Brazil

Abstract –  The prognosis of traumatized teeth in general and of avulsed teeth in particular depends on prompt and appropriate treatment. Management of traumatic injuries may be a challenge to the non-specialized dentist, as they may occur when dentists are least prepared for it. The objective of this research was to investigate the knowledge of general practitioner dentists about the emergency management of dental avulsion in Curitiba, PR, Brazil. A group of 250 professionals were interviewed. The questions were related to knowledge of how to treat traumatic avulsion of teeth. The results suggest that the level of knowledge on the management of dental avulsion of the general practitioners dentists in Curitiba is adequate.     

Parental awareness of the emergency management of avulsed teeth in children

Although public awareness campaigns on avulsed teeth have been mounted in the past, no study has investigated the knowledge parents possess of the protocol for the management of this dental emergency. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate, by means of a questionnaire, the parental awareness of the emergency management of avulsed teeth in children. Over 2000 parents were surveyed during a four-week period at 20 suburban vacation swimming centres. The results indicated that almost two-thirds of respondents would attempt replantation of an avulsed tooth but further questioning showed they did not know the correct procedures. Thirty-three per cent of respondents were unaware of any after-hours emergency dental services. Ninety-two per cent felt they should seek professional help urgently following an avulsion injury, but their knowledge of transport media for the tooth was poor. Only 5 per cent knew that milk was the medium of choice for both washing and transporting an avulsed tooth. Ninety per cent of parents surveyed had never received advice on what to do in the event of an accident where a permanent tooth was avulsed. This study revealed the need for educational campaigns aimed at parents to increase their knowledge of the emergency procedures required when the tooth is avulsed.     

Dental practitioners' knowledge and implementation of the 2007 International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines for management of dental trauma

Abstract –  Aim : To evaluate the knowledge, adoption, and diffusion rate of the 2007 International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines among practicing military dental professionals, 1 year after publication. Methods : Fifty-four military dental professionals in the Medical Corps of the Israel Defense Forces participated in the study and completed a questionnaire, consisting of demographic questions, and multiple choice questions that presented critical points that a military dentist should know when treating a tooth injury. Results : Seven dentists (13%) graduated in the summer of 2007 after publication of the current guidelines. Military instructions (37%) and the official guidelines published in Dental Traumatology (25.9%) were the most common sources of updating the current guidelines. Twenty-six percentage of the participants were not updated with the new guidelines at all. Based on the current guidelines, the overall correct answer response rate for the 10 questions was 71.7%. Tetracycline, as an antimicrobial agent of choice in avulsion, yielded the lowest percentage of correct answers (20.4%), with duration of splinting after root fracture, the next most incorrectly answered question (50.0%). Conclusions : High level of knowledge regarding the 2007 guidelines was found among Israeli military dentists, 1 year after publication. However, knowledge regarding several issues (e.g., medication, splinting) should be reinforced.     

学龄儿童1 54颗恒前牙外伤诊治分析

目的：调查学龄儿童恒前牙外伤的相关因素,评价对脱位牙进行即刻再植治疗的效果。方法：对122例7～12岁学龄儿童恒前牙外伤病例进行调查,了解前牙外伤的相关因素,并对外伤导致的56颗脱落牙进行即刻再植治疗,随访观察1a,评价疗效。结果：跌伤为主要外伤原因,上中切牙受伤最多,左右侧无差异。单个牙外伤在所有年龄组占多数,深覆盖的儿童遭受外伤的几率较大。154颗外伤牙中,冠折89颗,占57．79％：根折9颗,占5．84％：脱位56颗,占36．36％。大多数老师及家长不了解脱位牙保存介质问题。56颗行脱位再植牙,53颗成功,成功率为94．64％。结论：学龄儿童在学校受伤较多,在日常教育中应强调儿童的自我保护意识。外伤导致脱落的年轻恒牙再植成功率高．临床效果良好。     

Knowledge of Brazilian general dentists and endodontists about the emergency management of dento-alveolar trauma

Abstract –  The purpose of this study was to determine Brazilian dentists' knowledge of emergency management of dento-alveolar trauma. A two-part questionnaire containing questions on demographic data and knowledge were mailed to 230 general dental practitioners (GDPs) and 70 endodontists. Questionnaires were returned by 42.6% of the GDPs and 62.8% of the endodontists. The survey data were statistically analyzed using Mann–Whitney U -test for practitioners' knowledge and Pearson's correlation coefficient for association between knowledge scores and practitioner age or years since graduation. The mean knowledge score of endodontists was significantly greater than for GDPs ( P  < 0.0001). Dentists with trauma experience in their practices and those who had attended postgraduate courses on dental trauma had a significant higher mean knowledge score. In contrast, there was a poor correlation between the knowledge score and the ages of the respondents ( r  = 0.086) or the years since graduation ( r  = 0.108). In conclusion, this survey showed a poor knowledge of dental trauma management among the surveyed dentists and highlights the need to develop strategies to improve the knowledge base in this area of dentistry for the benefit of the dental trauma patient.     

Awareness of management of dental trauma among medical professionals in Pondicherry, India

Abstract –  The aim of the study was to establish the level of knowledge on the management of dental trauma among physicians at Pondicherry, India. A questionnaire was designed and was given to physicians working in medical colleges or as residents in advanced training programs in medicine in Pondicherry, India. The questionnaire contained a clinical situation of tooth avulsion and various treatment options. Only 5.5% of the medical professionals knew about reimplantation and none knew that the patients' mouth was the best transport medium. 90% of them accepted that they had no knowledge on dental trauma management. As the physicians get an opportunity to attend a case of dental trauma in emergency or private practice, it is vital that they possess sufficient knowledge on primary management of tooth avulsion, before referring to dentists.     

Evaluation of sixth grade primary schoolchildren's knowledge about avulsion and dental reimplantation

Abstract –  Dental trauma, particularly tooth avulsion, is a frequent cause of tooth loss in children, adolescents, and young adults. The avulsed tooth should be immediately reimplanted in its alveolus. This procedure can be performed by anyone at the accident site and not only by dental surgeons. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the knowledge of sixth graders of the city of Araçatuba, SP, about dental avulsion and tooth reimplantation through a structured and standardized survey. Our sample consisted of 778 students. The data collected was processed using the program epiinfo 2000. Most students were around 12 years of age and 94.5% related to practice some kind of sports. Results demonstrated that the possibility of tooth reimplantation after dental avulsion is not acknowledged among these students and dental traumatism was associated to caries, toothache, and use of orthodontic appliances. Only 18.9% of the students associated dental traumatism to an impact trauma; 3.6% would store the tooth in milk, and 3.1% believed the tooth could be reimplanted by anyone present at the accident site. In summary, the results show an overall the lack of knowledge about dental traumatism and highlight the need of special programs designed to educate school-aged students about emergency procedures to handle cases of dental traumatisms.     

Knowledge of nurses working at schools in Bialystok, Poland, of tooth avulsion and its management

Abstract – Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of first aid in tooth avulsion among nurses working at schools in Bialystok, Poland. A part of this population attended a lecture on the management of dental trauma 2 years before. Methods: The survey was conducted in September 2010 and covered 50 (96.15%) school nurses from Bialystok. Thirty‐eight of them attended the dental trauma lecture conducted 2 years before the survey. They were asked to fill in an anonymous questionnaire consisting of 20 closed questions referring to demographic data, previous dental trauma experience, and training. Seven questions referred directly to the knowledge of management of dental avulsion and on that basis, the level of nurses’ knowledge was evaluated. The data were analyzed statistically using the Mann–Withney U‐test with P < 0.05 to find factors influencing the level of knowledge. Results: The study showed that nurses’ knowledge about tooth avulsion was at an appropriate level. 86% of the participants chose the correct definition of the term of replantation, 92% understood that the time is crucial for the result of a replantation, 94% knew that an avulsed tooth should be held by the crown, and 96% pointed the proper transport medium. A half of the surveyed nurses declared that they would provide tooth replantation and another 16% would consult the procedures by calling a dentist. One statistically significant correlation between the level of knowledge and previous dental trauma training was revealed (P < 0.01). Conclusions: The lay knowledge of tooth avulsion in the population of nurses working at schools in Bialystok, Poland, was at an appropriate level. There was a strong correlation between this level and the participation in the lecture on the management of dental trauma conducted 2 years before.     

上海市12岁儿童家长对外伤全脱位牙应急处理认知的调查

目的：调查分析上海市12岁儿童家长对外伤全脱位牙应急处理的认知水平,为相关的健康教育项目的设计和实施提供依据。方法：采用分层等容随机抽样方法,抽取上海六个区,每个区随机抽取2所中学,每所学校随机抽取50名12岁儿童,共对548名儿童家长进行问卷调查。应用SPSS16.0软件包进行卡方检验。结果：3.28%家长的孩子发生过全脱位牙外伤,10.58%的家长采取即刻牙再植的全脱位牙应急措施,只有6.75%的家长选择牛奶作为全脱位牙的储存介质,38.87%的家长选择外伤全脱位牙最佳治疗时间是即刻,87.96%的家长从没有接触过牙外伤的急救知识。结论：上海市12岁儿童家长对外伤全脱位牙认知水平较低,应加强对家长的牙外伤健康教育,以促进提高家长对外伤全脱位牙的应急处理能力。     

青岛市口腔医生对乳牙牙外伤处理的认知调查

目的研究青岛地区口腔医生对乳牙牙外伤处理的认知水平。 方法利用2018年8月青岛市儿童口腔疾病预防公益项目培训会议期间,向参会医生发放经过验证的调查问卷,进行乳牙牙外伤处理认知调查,使用χ²检验对结果进行统计分析。 结果调查相关口腔医生170名,共回收有效调查问卷168份（98.8%）。结果分析：青岛地区口腔医生对乳牙折断性损伤处理方案选择的正确率为53.57%,对乳牙牙脱位性损伤处理方案选择的正确率为72.62%,对乳牙全脱位处理方案选择正确率为58.33%。卡方检验显示,不同医疗机构和不同职称的口腔医生在大多数问题的选择正确率上没有明显差异（P>0.05）,第7、9、11、13题中,儿童口腔医生对乳牙外伤处理方案选择正确率分别为88.9%、55.6%、97.2%和91.7%,非儿童口腔医生选择正确率分别为67.2%、13.7%、76.2%和81.1%,差异均具有统计学意义（χ²⁷ = 6.844,P₇ = 0.009;χ²⁹ = 17.3,P₉<0.001;χ²¹¹ = 9.056,P₁₁ = 0.003;χ²₁₃ = 2.291,P₁₃ = 0.130）。 结论青岛市口腔医生对乳牙牙外伤处理方案的选择整体正确率较低,不同的医疗机构和不同职称的口腔医生在处理方案的选择上没有明显差异,儿童口腔医生对乳牙外伤处理方案选择的正确率更高。     

Effect of a single dental health education on the management of permanent avulsed teeth by different groups of professionals

Abstract – Introduction: Tooth avulsion is the complete displacement of a tooth from its socket due to intentional or non‐intentional injuries. Treatment in these cases comprises tooth replantation. This accident is very critical as the success of tooth replantation is directly dependent on several factors, such as extra‐alveolar period, storage of the tooth until replantation, type of retention employed, time of endodontic intervention, type of drug prescribed, oral hygiene status as well as general health. This trauma commonly occurs during sports practice, school, and leisure activities. The first measures are critical for the prognosis of the avulsed tooth. Several studies report lack of knowledge of the population, educators, sports professionals, and health professionals in the management of tooth avulsion. This study evaluated the influence of education on different groups of professionals, addressing the knowledge and prevention and emergency management of the avulsed tooth. Method: The study was conducted on five different groups of professionals (elementary school teachers, physical education professionals, bank employees, dental doctors, and pediatricians) from the city of Brasília, DF, Brazil. The professionals attended a lecture and were evaluated by a questionnaire applied twice, before and after the lecture. Results: The results of the 479 returned questionnaires were analyzed. The difference between questionnaires before and after the lecture was statistically analyzed by the Wilcoxon test. There was statistically significant change in the performance of professional groups after information was provided (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Education is extremely important to favor the knowledge on prevention and emergency management of an avulsed tooth, and may enhance the prognosis of tooth avulsion.     

Knowledge of lay people and dentists in emergency management of dental trauma

Abstract –  The multidisciplinary nature of the follow-up evaluations of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) requires that both the lay public and practitioners possess knowledge of the treatment strategies involved. The aim of this paper was to assess the level of knowledge of elementary public schoolteachers, parents and dentists of the city of Joaçaba, Southern Brazil, about the emergency management of TDI. Three independent cross sectional studies were carried out involving samples of elementary public schoolteachers ( n  = 245), parents ( n  = 107) and dentists ( n  = 85) in the city in 2001. Data were collected through structured interviews for schoolteachers and dentists, and questionnaires for parents, containing questions about socio-demographic characteristics and about incidents resulting in TDI. The responses in the three studies showed a wide variability of indicated procedures for the situations of TDI proposed. The results of association studies showed that older schoolteachers ( P  = 0.003), older dentists ( P  = 0.013) and dentists who had graduated more recently ( P  = 0.032) chose significantly more correct answers in some TDI incidents. The answers of schoolteachers, parents and dentists showed a wide variability of indicated procedures for the situations proposed. The great majority of them would not follow the approaches most recommended in the literature. A greater importance should be placed on TDI through educational campaigns aiming schoolteachers and parents and also through undergraduation and postgraduation dental curricula in order of improving its management.     

Dental injuries in inline skating – level of information and prevention

Abstract –  Inline skating belongs like ice hockey, rugby, and boxing to sporting activities with high-risk of suffering tooth accidents. Because of high velocity and loss of balance, especially on uneven ground, the injury potential in inline skating is higher. The objective of this work was to conduct a comparative study between Switzerland and Germany. The questions focussed on the frequency of tooth accidents, their prevention by mouthguard and the level of information about emergency measures after dental trauma and the resulting consequences for athletes. Using a standardized questionnaire totally 612 individuals, 324 men and 288 women, in two countries belonging to three different divisions (fun, fitness and speed) were surveyed. Fifty-six (9.2%) of these 612 interviewees have already experienced a tooth injury while inline skating. More than half of all interviewed players (68.3%) were aware of the possibility of replanting avulsed teeth. Only 32.4% were familiar with the tooth rescue kit. Just 65.4% knew mouthguard and only 1.9% of those athletes ( n  = 12) wore a mouthguard while inline skating. The results show that the area of inline skating requires more information about preventing dental trauma through sports associations and dentists.     

Knowledge of physicians in hospital emergency rooms in Israel on their role in cases of avulsion of permanent incisors

Summary. Objective. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of physicians in hospital emergency room care on their possible role in cases of traumatic loss of permanent incisors. Methods. A questionnaire was sent to directors of emergency room facilities in hospitals in Israel regarding the medical team at the emergency room in the hospital, availability of an in‐house dental service and existence of a protocol for management of avulsed teeth. Another questionnaire, completed by physicians in the emergency room, contained demographic questions and questions regarding their knowledge of management of avulsed permanent teeth. Results. The findings of the study showed that only 4% (12 of 335 physicians) would provide an appropriate initial treatment that, if followed by treatment by a dentist as recommended, could save the avulsed tooth. No correlation was found between knowledge of appropriate treatment of avulsed teeth and type of speciality, years of experience, previous exposure to information on trauma to the teeth and gender. The only significant association was found between physicians’ knowledge and having a dentist spouse. Most of the physicians had never attended any formal seminar or lecture or received printed instructions on the management of avulsed teeth. Conclusions. Medical students and physicians in hospitals’ emergency rooms should be made aware of their possible role in cases of avulsion of permanent teeth, in order to minimize late complications associated with such injuries. One possible way to achieve this goal is through education during and after training and introduction of a formal protocol for treatment of avulsed permanent teeth and other dental injuries.