Awareness and Preferred Mode of Getting Information on First Aid Management of Avulsed Permanent Teeth: Survey of Nigerian Mothers

Olubukola Olamide Olatosi,Aderinsola S Omotuyole,Onyekachi J Mgbemere,Afolabi Oyapero,Chizoba C Okolo

doi:10.1590/pboci.2021.008

Abstract

Objective: To determine the awareness and sources of information on first aid management of avulsed permanent teeth in a group of South-western Nigerian mothers. Material and Methods: An 18-item interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to survey 385 mothers attending the antenatal and immunization clinics on their perception towards dental avulsion, its management, sources, and preferred mode of receiving information on first aid. The effect of all significant factors was inferred at p<0.05. Results: Mothers who had previous information on the first aid management of dental avulsion had significantly higher knowledge (p=0.000). Majority (80.8%) of the mothers did not know that an avulsed permanent tooth could be replanted, though mothers whose children had not experienced dental trauma had significantly higher knowledge (p=0.003). The knowledge of first aid management of avulsed permanent tooth was low, regardless of age, education and employment status of the respondents. Conclusion: There was low knowledge among mothers regarding the first aid measures in the management of avulsed permanent teeth. Their main preference for receiving information was through social media and television. There is a need to increase oral health educational campaigns targeted towards mothers.

Highlights

Dental avulsion is the most serious form of traumatic dental injury and it is defined as the complete removal of a tooth out of its socket after the periodontal ligament is severed with or without fracture of the alveolar bone [1]
Majority (80.8%) of the mothers did not know that an avulsed permanent tooth could be replanted, though mothers whose children had not experienced dental trauma had significantly higher knowledge (p=0.003)
There is a need to increase oral health educational campaigns targeted towards mothers

Summary

Introduction

Dental avulsion is the most serious form of traumatic dental injury and it is defined as the complete removal of a tooth out of its socket after the periodontal ligament is severed with or without fracture of the alveolar bone [1]. Avulsions constitute 0.5-16% of all traumatic dental injuries to permanent anterior teeth [2,3], while the teeth most commonly avulsed in the primary and permanent dentitions are the maxillary incisors [4]. These anterior teeth are important for aesthetics, mastication, speech, integrity of supporting tissues, and psychological and mental well-being of children [5,6]. Tooth avulsion is three times more frequent in boys than girls because of their active participation in sports, and it occurs most commonly from ages 7 to 9 years, when the permanent incisors are erupting [7]. It is pertinent to assess maternal knowledge on the important steps to take immediately dental avulsion occurs and design appropriate educational interventions to ensure successful outcomes of treatment [11,12]

Results

Discussion

Conclusion