Evaluation of primary school teacher's knowledge of dental traumas in students, Tehran-2003

Injuries of the anterior teeth are frightful events for child and his parents. This study evaluates the knowledge of primary school teachers about dental trauma. In this study 384 teachers of Tehran primary schools have been evaluated. Tehran is divided to five areas and in each area, eight schools have been randomly selected. Then ten teachers in each school have been selected in the same way. Questionnaire which contained information about management of avulsion, crown fracture, complete crown loss, teachers’ degree, duration of teaching, taking first aid courses and previously facing any dental trauma were presented to the teachers. The data was analyzed by Microsoft SPSS 10 and Chi square test. Out of 384 teachers: 15.5% were aware of avulsion management, 42.7% about crown segment fracture and 68.5% about complete crown loss. There was significant relation between teacher’s knowledge and previous history of trauma in children (P<0.01). Awareness increased as the teaching skill and duration increased. There was no significant relation between the amount of awareness comparing the teachers’ degree and taking first aid courses. Teachers’ knowledge in management of dental injuries especially about avulsion was little, and there is a great necessity of making it public through school books and media.