Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of first aid measures for a permanent tooth avulsion among parents in Kuwait and to assess the effect of different sociodemographic characteristics.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 554 parents who visited 5 dental specialty centers in Kuwait. Parent sociodemographic data and responses to avulsion management questions were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and binary logistic regression analyses were used for data analysis.

Results: In the 554 responses from patients, gaps were identified in the following areas: replantation (199, 35.9%), cleaning of the tooth (182, 32.9%), and transport media (84, 15.2%). Most parents demonstrated satisfactory knowledge levels regarding the urgency to seek professional help (391, 70.6%) and the first place of contact after the injury (525, 94.8%). Having previous information on emergency management of dental avulsion was a significant predictor of good knowledge (OR 2.138, 95% CI 1.347-3.395, p = 0.001). Of the 544 parents, 99 (17.8%) had received information on dental avulsion management: 30 (30.3%) from the Internet, 19 (19.2%) from books, 12 (12.1%) from television, 6 (6%) from smart phone applications, 2 (2%) from newspapers, and 30 (30.3%) from other sources.

Conclusion: In this study, parents in Kuwait did not have adequate knowledge of emergency management for dental avulsion. Future educational campaigns on dental avulsion are urgently needed to educate parents.

Keywords: Dental avulsion; Dental emergency; Parents’ knowledge.