KNOWLEDGE AMONG GENERAL DENTAL PRACTITIONER IN THE TREATMENT OF TRAUMATIC INJURIES IN PRIMARY TEETH ? A QUESTIONNAIRE STUDY

Dental trauma is a common emergency in dental practice, especially in children and adolescents. Deciduous and permanent anterior teeth are not only important for aesthetic reason but are also necessary for phonetics, mastication integrity of supporting tissues, psychological and mental well being of children. This study was planned to explore the knowledge of 227 general dental practitioners regarding the management of dental traumatic injuries of primary teeth by a structured questionnaire. Analyzing the questionnaire for knowledge 47% of dentists answered accurately regarding avulsed primary teeth, 39% of dentists answered appropriately regarding crown and root fractures and 57% of dentists gave appropriate answers regarding luxation injuries. The results show the lack of knowledge among general dental practitioners regarding injuries of primary teeth and need to increase awareness and the knowledge of the treatment of traumatic injuries in primary teeth.