Traumatic dental injuries: Knowledge assessment of dentists in the Norwegian Public Dental Service of Vestland

Abstract

Background/Aim: Most children and adolescents in Norway attend the Public Dental Service (PDS) where they are treated free-of-charge until the age of 19 years. Thus, general dentists employed in the PDS are the primary care providers for traumatic dental injuries (TDI) in young patients. This cross-sectional study assessed the knowledge of PDS general dentists on the acute management and follow-up of TDI and its socio-demographic and attitudinal covariates. Materials and Methods: All general dentists employed in the Vestland County PDS, Western Norway, (N = 170) received an online questionnaire. Socio-demographic and professional profiles of respondents as well as attitudinal indicators were queried. Clinical case scenarios on emergency treatment and further follow-ups of TDI were used to calculate a dental trauma knowledge score (DTKS; range: 0–21). Mann–Whitney U tests and Kruskal–Wallis tests determined differences between the demographic subgroups. Logistic regressions determined the potential of single factors in explaining the variability in dental trauma knowledge. Results: The response rate was 46%. Most participants (60.5%) had not participated in a TDI course after graduation but would like such a course (84.2%). Mean DTKS was 13.82 (±2.6). Knowledge scores differed significantly between age groups (p =.014) and years since graduation (p =.0018). Younger dentists and recently graduated dentists scored highest. Dentists under the age of 30 years scored higher than 30–39- and 40–49-year-old dentists in these areas: emergency treatment of crown fractures with pulp exposure, identification of complications after avulsion, and management of severe intrusive luxation injury. Conclusion: Younger dentists had a higher theoretical knowledge of TDI. Continuing professional development among dentists in the Norwegian PDS is needed for emergency treatment and complication management after TDI.