Knowledge and practice of senior medical students in Tehran University of Medical Sciences toward emergency management of tooth avulsion

Since physicians are frequently the first one to actually provide primary treatment in case of tooth avulsion, they need to have sufficient awareness in the basic principles of management this emergency situation. The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge and self-reported practice of senior medical students at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) about managing tooth avulsion. This cross-sectional study evaluated the knowledge and self-reported practice of senior medical students (n=150) in TUMS towards management of tooth avulsion. A standard anonymous questionnaire obtained from previous studies was distributed among students. The questionnaire was consisted of questions on backgrounds (age, gender, previous encounter with tooth avulsion, previous education on management of traumatic dental injuries-TDIs); knowledge, and self-reported practice regarding tooth avulsion management; and satisfaction (self-competency, importance of educational programs, knowledge self-assessment, and willingness for further education). After collecting the questionnaires, the answers were scored and results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, linear regression model and Pearson correlation coefficient. Totally, 126 questionnaires were collected (Response rate= 84%) of whom 49 (%38.9) were male and 77 (%61.1) were female, with the mean age 25.1±1.2. Previous encounter with tooth avulsion was reported by 18 students (14.3%). Only five students (%4) had received education regarding TDIs. The knowledge, and self-reported practice mean score were 3.82±1.29 (out of 12), and 4.44±0.7 (out of 8), respectively. None of background variables had a significant relationship with the knowledge, and self-reported practice mean scores. There was no correlation between students’ knowledge and self-reported practice. More than 97% of students reported low/very low self-competency for replantation of an avulsed tooth. Majority of the participants (%84.2) were dissatisfied with their level of knowledge and suggested that further education on the topic should be offered. The results indicated that there is a need to improve the knowledge of medical students regarding management of traumatic dental injuries.