Assessment of Physical Education course coordinators and undergraduates' knowledge about dental trauma first aid in Maringá/PR

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate coordinators and undergraduates' knowledge in Physical Education from Maringá, Paraná, Brazil, concerning dental trauma first aid (DT) and suggest a proposal for education and prevention of DTs which can cause physical, psychological and social sequelae. Material and methods: The sample comprised coordinators (n = 2) and undergraduates (n = 106) in Physical Education. A questionnaire was applied to coordinators not only for qualitative assessment, but also to investigate their proposals. As for undergraduates, a questionnaire was applied to assess frequency and statistical analysis by means of t test (p < 0.05) for two independent samples. Results: Results revealed that the coordinators had limited knowledge on the topic and suggested an action of integrated education. Undergraduates showed insufficient knowledge, with no differences between qualifications (p = 0.061), but with a significant difference between undergraduates who attended or not first aid classes for dental trauma (p = 0.034). Conclusion: This study revealed that coordinators and undergraduates have poor knowledge about dental trauma first aid. Intervention is suggested by means of an integration program between undergraduates and professors of Dentistry and Physical Education, so that coordinators are prepared to introduce the subject in the academic curriculum and training of Physical Education undergraduates.