title: Physician and emergency medical technicians' knowledge and experience regarding dental trauma.
abstract: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the knowledge of physicians and emergency medical technicians (EMT) regarding primary treatment for dental trauma and to assess the experience they have in treating dental injuries. The study population consisted of 70 military physicians and EMT during their military service. A questionnaire was distributed relating to demographic data, such as age, gender, position, and type of military service, as well as the following issues: past experience in treating or witnessing dental trauma, former education regarding diagnosis and treatment of dental trauma, assessment of knowledge regarding dental trauma, etc. Of all participants, only 4 (5.9%), all physicians, received education regarding dental trauma. Nevertheless, 42 (61.8%) reported they witnessed such an injury during their military service. Dental injuries were first seen by the EMT in 41.2% of the cases, by the physician in 25%, and by a dentist in only 7.3%. Overall, 58 (85.3%) of the physicians and EMT stated that it was important to educate the primary health care providers regarding diagnosis and treatment of dental trauma. Special emphasis should be given to providing primary caregivers with the relevant education to improve their knowledge and ability of dealing with diagnosis and treatment of dental trauma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontology, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, and Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel. linsh@post.tau.ac.il
authors.forename: Shaul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Liran
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: Omri
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Emodi
authors.forename: Zvi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fuss
authors.forename: Micha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peled
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004497:Education, Dental; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*