Factors Influencing Awareness of the Emergency Management of Dental Trauma in Children-A Comparison of Fathers and Mothers across Saudi Arabia

Background and Aim: The study aimed to assess differences between fathers and mothers on the knowledge of emergency management of dental trauma in four cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A previously validated Arabic questionnaire for the assessment of dental trauma was administered to 396 sets of parents across four cities in Saudi Arabia. The total knowledge score was computed and the scores between fathers and mothers were compared using the paired t test. One-way ANOVA was used to compare differences in scores among cities. Separate linear regression models were plotted to determine factors that influenced the knowledge of fathers and mothers. Results: Mothers had significantly greater knowledge about the management of traumatic dental injuries than fathers (p<0.001). Education level (p=0.043) and location (0.002) were significantly associated with maternal knowledge. Size of the family was inversely associated (p=0.022) with paternal knowledge. Conclusion: Mothers across Saudi Arabia are significantly better suited to manage traumatic dental injuries than fathers.