ABSTRACT
Under the auspices of Headway--the brain injury association, the charity supplies information on head/brain injury and runs a telephone advice line: (0115 924 0800). Questionnaires regarding the undergraduate teaching related to head/brain injuries were sent to, and returned by, all 12 UK dental schools. The replies suggest that undergraduate teaching of this subject is patchy and inadequately prepares dentists to recognise and cope with patients who may have had head, and consequently brain, injuries. It is recommended that dental schools review their teaching of this subject and ensure that it is consistent with the current guidelines issued by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) on the recognition of head injury and that the findings are brought to the attention of the General Dental Council in the context of the GDC's "The first five years" report.
Subject(s)
Craniocerebral Trauma/diagnosis , Dental Staff, Hospital/education , Schools, Dental , Traumatology/education , Clinical Competence , Curriculum , Data Collection , Glasgow Coma Scale , Humans , Surveys and Questionnaires , United KingdomABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To review the available literature regarding the: epidemiology of bicycle related head injuries; consequences of head injuries; rates of cycle helmet use; impact of educational campaigns and legislation on usage rates; effectiveness of cycle helmets in protecting against head and facial injuries; arguments against the compulsory use of bicycle helmets. DATA SOURCES: A computerised Medline search was conducted using the keywords: head injury, facial injury, bicycle helmets, accidents. DATA SELECTION: All available information was considered. DATA SYNTHESIS: Data was collated manually. CONCLUSIONS: The wearing of bicycle helmets contributes significantly to the prevention of head injuries (HI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), particularly in children and adolescents. There is evidence to support the role of cycle helmets in the prevention of injuries to the middle third of the face and some dental injuries. There is a case for the implementation of legislation accompanied by educational campaigns to increase significantly the use of cycle helmets. The dental profession could: play an active role in promoting cycle helmet use; support calls for the compulsory wearing of cycling helmets, particularly for children; press for modification of helmet design and standards to increase protection of the face.