Knowledge and Attitude of Parents from Fujairah, UAE about Emergency Management of Dental Trauma- A Questionnaire based Study

Abstract

Dental injuries are one of the most commonly encountered dental emergencies. Traumatic dental injuries pose significant consequences to the health of the child, not only functionally, but also psychologically and socially [1]. These consequences also have significant impact on parents, who are generally concerned with esthetic and economic aspects of this problem [2]. The prognosis of some dental injuries depends largely on parents’ knowledge of correct and prompt emergency measures [3]. Traumatic injuries can, thus, have a significant impact on a child’s quality of life. A high percentage of children with dental trauma present late for treatment, possibly because of lack of awareness and knowledge among related adults, resulting in unfavorable long-term prognosis. Parents, especially mothers play an important role in their children’ life, as they are the primary source of information allowing importing their knowledge. Forty-one percent of dental injuries occur at home. Mothers therefore should play an important role in taking appropriate decision [4]. Increased overjet, environmental determinants and human behavior were found to increase the risk for traumatic dental injuries [3]. Statistics from many countries show that one third of preschool children suffer from traumatic dental injuries involving primary dentition and one-fourth permanent dentition. Between 71% and 92% of all injuries, sustained in a lifetime occur before the age of 19. They occur at home followed by school and public places [5]. 50% of school children have sustained traumatic injuries prior to graduation [4]. In Asia and Africa, the prevalence of TDI to anterior teeth among adolescents ranges from 4% to 35% and from 15% to 21%, respectively. In America and Europe, the prevalence varied from 15% to 23% and 23% to 35%, respectively [6].