Assessment of knowledge and self-reported practice of a group of Egyptian primary school teachers on traumatic dental injuries management: before and after study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Master student of Pediatric Dentistry and Dental public health, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Egypt

2 Professor of Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Egypt.

3 Associate Professor of Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Egypt

Abstract

Abstract
Purpose: The current study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and self-reported practice of primary school teachers in managing traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) before and after the educational program.
Methods: Two hundred and fifty-four primary school teachers from both public and private schools were randomly selected to participate in the study. Data was gathered regarding knowledge and self-reported practice in managing TDIs by a previously validated self-administered questionnaire before and on the third month after an oral health educational program including a 30-minute PowerPoint presentation, pamphlets, and posters.
Results: Baseline data were as follows 29.9% have good knowledge, 34.3% have moderate knowledge, and 35.8% have poor knowledge. Regarding self-reported practice, baseline data were as follows 55.1% have good practice, 33.1% have moderate practice, and 11.8% have poor practice. After the oral health educational program, there was a significant enhancement in both the knowledge and the self-reported practice of teachers with a p-value<0.001.
Conclusions: The knowledge and self-reported practice of the emergency management of TDIs were considered poor among the study participants. The oral health educational program was successful in improving both the teacher's knowledge and self-reported practice.
Trial registration: The current study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov with the identifier NCT04462744 on 02/07/2020.

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