Physician and emergency medical technicians’ knowledge and experience regarding dental trauma

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the knowledge of physicians and emergency medical technicians (EMT) regarding primary treatment for dental trauma and to assess the experience they have in treating dental injuries. The study population consisted of 70 military physicians and EMT during their military service. A questionnaire was distributed relating to demographic data, such as age, gender, position, and type of military service, as well as the following issues: past experience in treating or witnessing dental trauma, former education regarding diagnosis and treatment of dental trauma, assessment of knowledge regarding dental trauma, etc. Of all participants, only 4 (5.9%), all physicians, received education regarding dental trauma. Nevertheless, 42 (61.8%) reported they witnessed such an injury during their military service. Dental injuries were first seen by the EMT in 41.2% of the cases, by the physician in 25%, and by a dentist in only 7.3%. Overall, 58 (85.3%) of the physicians and EMT stated that it was important to educate the primary health care providers regarding diagnosis and treatment of dental trauma. Special emphasis should be given to providing primary caregivers with the relevant education to improve their knowledge and ability of dealing with diagnosis and treatment of dental trauma.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Emergency Management of Tooth Avulsion among Medical Students in Melaka, Malaysia: A Cross-sectional Study

“…The findings presented here were consistent with those of other previously published studies. 20,[22][23][24][25] The main reason for the lack of knowledge in this area might be due to the high percentage of participants (87.4%) who stated that they never received any information on what to do if a tooth is knocked out. This is in accordance with the study by Díaz et al 23 They reported 90.2% of nondental professionals in the emergency room had not received any formal training on diagnosis and emergency treatment of dental injuries.…”

“…This is in accordance with the study by Díaz et al 23 They reported 90.2% of nondental professionals in the emergency room had not received any formal training on diagnosis and emergency treatment of dental injuries. Lin et al 25 found that only 5.9% of physicians who took part in the study had received education regarding dental trauma. Similarly, Abu-Dawoud et al 21 showed that the majority of the physicians (83.3%) surveyed had not received information on what to do if a tooth was avulsed.…”

National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Preventing and Managing Sport-Related Dental and Oral Injuries

“…144 Team dentists can be tasked with fabricating custom mouthguards, assembling the contents for a dental emergency kit, and expeditiously managing sport-related traumatic dental injuries. At the very least, the AT should develop a list of available dentists for consultations and referrals.…”

Trauma training

“…2 Co-morbidity and fatalism amongst low-income strata are the major factors associated with the Inverse Care Law. Underprivileged individuals and families frequently suffer many conditions simultaneously, which compromise health and social problems; the most common of them is psychological distress.…”

“…Both Lin et al 2 and Levin et al 3 also stated the importance of providing primary caregivers with the relevant education to improve their knowledge and ability of dealing with diagnosis and treatment of dental trauma. However, it is not only medical primary care providers who need continuing education and training in dental trauma.…”