Timely management of knocked out teeth - are the nurses aware?

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess working and trainee nurses' knowledge and awareness regarding the emergency handling of traumatic injuries to the teeth. The research was conducted in four different parts of Karnataka, a state in India.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic injuries to teeth and the facial region are common among children and young adults. Most traumatic dental injuries can be avoided, or would be less serious, if an extensive knowledge and awareness of these injuries existed, especially among people who frequently come across them.

DESIGN: The study is a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey conducted among nurses of Karnataka.

METHODS: The questionnaire was given to nurses in different parts of Karnataka, India. Six hundred and two nurses completed a 15-item questionnaire, assessing their knowledge and practices in the management of traumatic injuries to the teeth.

RESULTS: Most of the nurses knew that an avulsed tooth can be replaced in the socket and approximately 70% knew mouthguards and other protective measures are available. The nurses' knowledge was, however, inadequate given their exposure to emergency cases and this was borne out by the fact that the study subjects reported that they require still more adequate training in emergency handling of dental injuries.

CONCLUSION: This study reveals that nurses in the current study have less knowledge than expected. Sufficient training should be provided, not only to doctors and dentists in emergency departments, but also to paramedical technicians and nurses to ensure proper care and appropriate advice is available to parents of children experiencing dental trauma. Hence, this study recommends an extensive health education programme in this field.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: As nurses play a vital role in the emergency dental services provided to patients, the importance of dental injury and its emergency management must be included in their curriculum.