Knowledge about dentoalveolar trauma protocol in teachers of educational entities in the Metropolitan region

Abstract

Introduction:

Dentoalveolar trauma is a frequent lesion in childhood and a public health problem. A favorable result will depend of the previous knowledge about its management.

Objective: 

To describe the level of knowledge about dentoalveolar trauma in teachers of educational entities in the Metropolitan region, that include the provinces of Chacabuco, Cordillera, Maipo, Melipilla, Santiago and Talagante, during 2020.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was carried out in a sample of 384 teachers from educational entities in the Metropolitan region, selected at random. Knowledge About management dentoalveolar trauma was measured by a questionnaire of three dimensions. The first dimension registers personal information and previous experiences in dentoalveolar trauma; the second one measures the general knowledge, assistance place, management of time, conditioning, transport and dentition type. The score classifies in good level (16 – 20), fair (8 a 15.9), deficient (0 – 7.9). The third dimension assesses the behavior to face avulsion trauma and dental fracture by two hypothetical cases and four enunciates. The level of knowledge was described in tables and graphs. This study was approved by the Scientific Ethics Committee.

Results:

In the sample, most of the women for a 89.3%, were middle aged, 37.1± 8.8 years old, mainly of preschooler education, 11.6 ± 8.8 years of job experience. The level of knowledge was deficient in a 56.8 %, without differences in sex, age, job experience and place of work. The third part classifies with adequate behavior facing the dental avulsion trauma, value which increases when facing a dental fracture for a 67.7 %.

Conclusion:

This study shows a deficient knowledge about dentoalveolar trauma in teachers, this situation can condition a bad prognosis of the teeth.