Dentists’ Knowledge of Traumatic Dental Injuries Treatment in Syria - A Pilot Study-

Abstract

Knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) is extremely important in improving the prognosis of such cases.

Aim of the study: Evaluate the knowledge of dentists about the management of TDIs in Syria.

Methods: An electronic investigation was carried out in Syria (during November 2022) by internet, and there were 380 participants. The questionnaire consisted of two parts. The first part included questions about sociodemographic characteristics (age, sex), education level, working experience, working place, last dental trauma course, self-efficacy about management of TDI, and treatment frequency. The second part included questions with multiple choice and single correct answers regarding the management of intrusion and extrusion, avulsion, complicated crown fracture and crown-root fracture injuries in children.

Descriptive statistics, multivariate analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis. After a descriptive analysis of the population, results of correct answers were expressed in frequency distribution and computed in percentages. To examine possible associations between the level of knowledge for each question (number/percentage of correct answers) and independent variables of the population (sex, number of years after graduation, attendance of dental trauma courses) by using T-Test and  Kolmogorov-Smirnov test) p< 0.05).

Results: evaluated TDI knowledge through questionnaires in Syria was considered to be low or moderate. The level of knowledge was statistically correlated in terms of working experience, working place, last dental trauma course and education level of participants, but not according to gender, and the older practitioners had lower knowledge.

Conclusion: Dentists’ knowledge about TDIs in Syria is not satisfactory, and should be improved. Educational programs and campaigns must be undertaken to improve their awareness and adherence to the Syrian and international guidelines.

Key Words: Traumatic Dental Injuries, Syrian Dentists, Knowledge.