KNOWLEDGE OF TEACHERS AND PARENTS ABOUT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OF DENTAL TRAUMA IN CHILDREN

Introduction: Traumatic dental injuries (TDI) are frequent in children and adolescents, affecting teeth, supporting structures and adjacent soft tissues and contributing to the appearance of major psychosocial and economic problems. Tooth avulsion is a dental emergency where the prognosis of avulsed teeth significantly depends on prompt and efficient action at the site of the accident, thus requiring that parents or teachers to be knowledgeable about the correct management of this situation. Objective: the present study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of parents & teachers concerning the emergency management of tooth avulsion. Subjects & methods: 200 teachers (65.8% males) (34.2% females) and 200 parents (51.3% males) and (48.7% females) were interviewed from 6 major cities in Al-Qassim Province. The data were collected by questionnaire. The questions were focused on the teacher?s and parent?s background, knowledge and management of tooth fracture, avulsion. Results: A total of 200 teachers were interviewed, 170 agreed to respond with response rate 85%). A total of 200 parents were interviewed, 150 agreed to respond with response rate 75%) Majority of teachers and parents had little knowledge related to handling of traumatic dental injuries and emergency management of avulsed permanent teeth. Conclusion: This study revealed the lack of Knowledge of Teachers and Parents about Emergency Management of Dental Trauma in Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia. There is a need for awareness programs to improve teachers? and parent?s knowledge and attitudes related to the emergency management of TDIs in children.