Global status of knowledge for prevention and emergency management of traumatic dental injuries in dental professionals: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Background Dental professionals are the primary care providers for traumatic dental injuries (TDI). The dental traumatology literature has a number of studies evaluating the knowledge of dental professionals from different parts of the world but its global status is unknown. Hence, the aim of this systematic review was to assess the global status of knowledge for the prevention and emergency management of TDI in dental professionals and to provide recommendations for future research. Materials and Methods The protocol was designed as per the PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020192381). A broad‐based search using text words and MeSH terms was performed in established databases as per a pre‐defined strategy without any distinction of language and year of publication. Studies without details of the questionnaire, knowledge score, validity and reliability were excluded. Data extraction was performed, risk of bias assessment was done using the Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal tool, and a meta‐analysis was performed. Results Sixteen studies, which had been published between 2008 and 2020, were included for qualitative synthesis. Most of them were cross‐sectional, used convenience sampling and evaluated knowledge for avulsion. Previous dental trauma training was undertaken by <50% of the participants of five studies, <50% knew about the correct approach in management of complicated crown fractures in three studies and ≤60% in four studies knew the critical time for replantation. There was insufficient level of knowledge in >50% of the included studies. High risk of bias was found in three studies. Conclusion The knowledge level in several areas of the world was unknown. The studies lacked uniformity in methods and well‐designed questionnaires and they revealed insufficient levels of knowledge among dental professionals.

Traumatic Dental Injuries, Treatment, and Complications in Children and Adolescents: A Register-Based Study

“…A recent survey among Lithuanian general dental practitioners showed that they lacked sufficient knowledge of dental trauma. 29 Researchers have also observed similar findings in other countries as demonstrated in the global study of dental professionals' knowledge by Tewari et al, 30 possibly because general dental practitioners may possess only moderate knowledge of TDI, whereas specialists in endodontics and pediatric dentistry possess greater knowledge, 31 medical doctors also often lack sufficient knowledge of dental trauma. 32 The most frequent complications were pulp necrosis, periapical periodontitis, and abscess formation, occurring in 94% of primary and 54% of permanent teeth.…”

How to Educate the Public about Dental Trauma—A Scoping Review

“…In contrast, no papers were found from regions and countries with developed oral health programmes, such as Scandinavia, Canada, or the United Kingdom. Systematic reviews of knowledge on TDIs by Tewari and co-authors also revealed discrepancies in the geographical distribution of studies [ 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

“…The prevention and posttraumatic management methods should be widely known, but numerous studies have shown a low level of such knowledge in the general population as well as among teachers, sports coaches, and even among healthcare professionals, including dentists [ 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Therefore, effective and efficient information about dental trauma seems to be essential.…”

Educational Dental Program and Its Impact on Emergency Management of Traumatic Dental Injuries in Children

“…Getting a professional emergency managementat the site of accident is mandatory, that would decrease the time between avulsion and replantation,and Consequently decrease the risk of having internal and external root resorption (35,36) . 51% of GDPs chose the answer to splint avulsed teeth for 7 to 10 days , which was higher in comparison with other studies were only 10-30% had chosen this answer (15,22) . 136 (66.0%) of GDPs chose the answer that they would never do replantation for primary tooth, result was improved by the educational program to 182 (88.3%) which is consistent with (176) Nada A.…”

“…The time taken by the patients to go to the dentist from the site of the accident especially in case of avulsion, as well as proper storage media are mandatory for prognosis and survival of the avulsed tooth (15) . Incorrect handling and long time out of the oral cavity may cause deformation of periodontal ligament, root resorption and may lead to ankylosis and tooth loss (9) .…”