Elementary school staff knowledge about management of traumatic dental injuries.

AIM: This study investigated the knowledge of elementary school staff regarding the management of traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) in children. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study analyzed data collected between September 2016 and April 2017. The sample consisted of 2,027 elementary school staff members in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A stratified cluster random sampling technique was used to select the required sample. Those who agreed to participate in the study completed a 4-part self-administered questionnaire comprising questions regarding demographic data, knowledge on management of tooth fracture, and avulsion using photographs of TDI cases. RESULTS: The majority of the school staff showed inadequate basic knowledge regarding the importance of saving the broken piece of the tooth and identifying the tooth involved in the trauma (67% and 66.3%, respectively), P<0.05. However, they had a significantly high number of correct responses regarding the immediate management of TDIs for the 2 case scenarios presented in the questionnaire (P<0.05), and the majority (41%) reported normal saline as a suitable storage medium (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: This study revealed a lack of knowledge in certain aspects of TDIs among elementary school staff.

Knowledge on management of traumatic dental injuries among Saudi mothers.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the knowledge of Saudi mothers regarding the management of traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study using structured questionnaires was employed for mothers chosen by stratified-cluster random sampling technique from primary health care centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, over a period of 12 months (July 2016-June 2017). The questionnaire surveyed mothers' background and knowledge on management of tooth fracture and avulsion using photographs of TDI cases. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 3,367 Saudi mothers. More than half of the mothers (55.3%) gave the correct response, which was to send the child with tooth fracture immediately to the dentist (p<0.01). The majority of mothers (41.6%) gave the correct response for the immediate mode of action, which was to save the avulsed tooth in storage medium and send the child to the dentist immediately (p<0.001). However, they prioritized the immediate management of TDIs, and most reported saline as a suitable storage medium (p<0.001). The mothers expressed a positive interest in further education. CONCLUSION: Educational programs and TDI protocols must be implemented to increase mothers' awareness and improve the prognosis of children with TDIs.