Primary care dentists' experience of treating avulsed permanent teeth

• Published in: British dental journal Vol. 219; no. 5; p. E4
• Main Authors: Kenny, K. P., Day, P. F., Douglas, G. V. A., Chadwick, B. L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 11.09.2015; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 692/700/3032/3053/3057; 692/700/3032/3086; 692/700/3032/3098; 692/700/3032/3148; Child; Dentistry; Dentition, Permanent; General Practice, Dental; Humans; Medicine; Pediatric Dentistry - methods; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tooth Avulsion - therapy
• ISSN: 0007-0610; 1476-5373
• DOI: 10.1038/sj.bdj.2015.673

Key Points Highlights that avulsion injuries are rare and that many dentists working in primary care have limited or no experience of treating children with avulsed permanent teeth. Discusses the importance of postgraduate training in dental traumatology to maintain up to date knowledge for timely and appropriate care for children who sustain traumatic dental injuries. Introduction An avulsed permanent tooth is one of the few true emergencies in dentistry. Children who suffer this injury require urgent dental care and prompt follow-up care. There is very limited evidence available regarding the provision of treatment for avulsion injuries in primary dental care. Objectives To explore the experience of UK dentists in relation to the management of avulsed permanent teeth. Method A self-completion questionnaire was designed and piloted. Questionnaires were sent to a random selection of one thousand GDPs with a stamped addressed return envelope. A second mailshot was sent to non-responders after eight weeks. Simple descriptive analysis was undertaken using Microsoft Excel. The results were compared with those from an earlier, similar study in Wales. Results A total response rate of 61% was achieved. Just over 40% of responding dentists recalled replanting an avulsed permanent tooth in a child. Conclusions Many dentists have limited or no experience of treating children with avulsed permanent teeth. Thirty-four percent of dentists have children with avulsion injuries under their care. Children with these traumatic injuries may benefit from shared care involving an interdisciplinary specialist team, in line with recommendations from the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry National Clinical Guidelines for Management of Avulsed Permanent Teeth in Children.