Traumatic dental injury in permanent teeth: knowledge and management in a group of Brazilian school teachers.

Abstract

School is a place with a high frequency of dental trauma, and several studies have shown that teachers' knowledge in how to act during acute dental emergencies is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge and actions of a group of Brazilian school teachers relative to dental trauma in permanent teeth. A cross-sectional, observational study, from 27, schools randomized by lot was performed. All 205 teachers in the 27 schools answered a structured and self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire contained questions about the participants' education level, work experience and first-aid training, as well as knowledge about and attitudes towards dental trauma in permanent teeth as well as their experience in dental emergency situations. Of the 205 teachers, 91.2% reported having no knowledge about dental trauma and 16.6% of teachers had seen cases of acute dental trauma. Among the 205 teachers, 23.9% had received first-aid training and 4.1% had been educated in dental trauma. Regarding actions of acute injuries to permanent teeth, the teachers showed a significant error rate. No association was found between the level of education and first-aid training or experience with dental trauma. In relation to the experience of the teacher, association was found when managing trauma to soft tissue. The knowledge and actions of Brazilian schoolteachers in relation to care of acute injuries in permanent teeth were inconsistent and based on unfounded concepts, beliefs and intuition, and lack of training. Continuing education of teachers in oral care due to a dental trauma should be a good plan of action.