Knowledge of the management of paediatric dental traumas by non-dental professionals in emergency rooms in South Araucanía, Temuco, Chile.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate the level of knowledge and attitudes regarding first aid for dental trauma in children (TDI) by non-dental professionals and paramedical technicians of hospital emergency rooms in the South Araucanía Health Service, Chile, which was attained through application of a survey.


METHODS
Samples were collected from people with occupations in the respective emergency rooms. The participants were 82 people that were interviewed using a questionnaire regarding management of dental trauma. Paramedic technicians, general and specialist doctors, and nurses were included in this survey. The appraisal covered diverse aspects: birth date, age, sex, years of experience in the emergency room, and questions regarding specific dental trauma topics, which focused on crown fractures, luxation injuries in permanent dentition, avulsion in primary and permanent teeth, and the respective emergency treatments.


RESULTS
Of the participants, 78.1% reported to have been presented with a TDI patient. The majority (90.2%) had not received formal training on TDI. These results revealed a wide distribution of responses. The overall dental trauma knowledge among the participants was relatively poor. For crown fractures management 54.9% indicated that they would ask the affected child about the crown remnants. In regard to transport and storage medium of avulsed permanent teeth, only 9.8% of the participants answered correctly and 43.9% of respondents stated that they would not replant an avulsed permanent tooth, since that procedure is considered the responsibility of a dentist.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of the respondents were not knowledgeable regarding TDI or the management and benefits of timely care, particularly in cases of avulsed permanent teeth. Therefore, formal education and training on the topic is suggested during undergraduate studies.
Dental Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
Jaime
J
Díaz
Training, Research and Management Evidence Based Medicine Institute & Public Health Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
Luís
L
Bustos
Undergraduate Dental Students, Faculty of Medicine, University of La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
Samira
S
Herrera
Undergraduate Dental Students, Faculty of Medicine, University of La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
Jaqueline
J
Sepulveda
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002677:Chile; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla; D008875:Middle Aged; D009926:Organ Preservation; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014084:Tooth Avulsion / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000293:injuries; D014082:Tooth Fractures / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D014090:Tooth Replantation; D055815:Young Adult
D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions