Evaluation of general dentist's knowledge regarding management of dental trauma

Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) are of the most common dental problems in children and adolescents, which usually occur in the anterior segment and have a significant role in patient’s physical and psychological health. Immediate intervention for damaged teeth can elevate the success rate of treatment in TDI. Thus, general dentists’ knowledge and their effective intervention in TDI are important factors in prognosis of traumatized teeth. The objective of this study was to assess the general dentists’ knowledge and awareness regarding the diagnosis and management of traumatic dental injuries.
In this cross-sectional study, the questionnaire data were collected from 130 general dentists, including the demographic data and general dentists’ knowledge about TDIs. The data were analyzed using the Student t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Spearman’s and Pearson’s correlation coefficient.
The mean score of general dentists’ knowledge was 8.5 ± 1.5 (total score:10) and it was the same between both males and females (P=0.083). Dentists’ work place does not have any influence in their knowledge (P=0.133). Also, there was no statically significant relationship between the age, job experience and dentists’ knowledge (P=0.805). The relationship between the frequency of TDI managed cases and dentists’ knowledge was not significant (P=0.507).
Considering that the overall knowledge of general dentists regarding the management of TDI was sufficient, it could be a good opportunity in treating these injuries. As TDI is a developing science, it is important to motivate general dentists being up to date regarding this matter.