title: Dental therapists' experience in the immediate management of traumatized teeth.
abstract: The optimal immediate management of traumatized teeth is known to be important for long-term success. One hundred and sixty-seven school dental therapists with General Certificate of Education 'Ordinary' (GCE 'O') level qualification were surveyed on their knowledge and experience on immediate management of dental trauma. The results showed only 41.2% felt comfortable with their present knowledge on the subject. A high proportion of the respondents (94.6%) indicated a need for more knowledge. All therapists concurred on the need to replant a permanent tooth and most (85.1%) agreed that this should be done within 30 min. More than half (54.8%) were not sure of the optimal storage medium for avulsed teeth. Their attitude towards acquiring knowledge in this aspect was good (80.5%) and all would take immediate action to settle appointments for trauma cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore. pndloht@nus.edu.sg
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Loh
authors.forename: Varawan
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sae-Lim
authors.forename: Tan Bee
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Yian
authors.forename: Shen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liang
mesh_terms: D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003726:Dental Assistants / Q000193:education; D004496:Education, Continuing; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D012571:School Dentistry; D012996:Solutions; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors; D014082:Tooth Fractures / Q000628:therapy; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D014090:Tooth Replantation
chemical_list: D012996:Solutions; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid