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ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of dental clinicians in Karachi regarding the management of avulsed teeth. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted by the Department of Operative Dentistry at Bahria University Medical and Dental College, Karachi, over a period of eight months, from March to October 2016. A questionnaire with eleven close-ended questions was devised in English and distributed among dentists in various dental colleges and hospitals in Karachi. The software IBM SPSS Statistics version 23.0 and Chi-square test were used for data analysis and P [less-than] 0.05 was considered significant. Out of a total of 209, 33% participants of the study were males, and 67% were females. 46% participants were simple BDS graduates, whereas 33% were enrolled in an MDS program. 53% participants practiced in a teaching hospital.
Around 44% participants were involved in continued dental education programs regarding avulsed teeth. 69% participants thought tooth should not be replanted in every case. 75% participants considered extra-alveolar time, root completion and storage medium to affect the prognosis combined. 33% responded milk to be the best storage medium, while 31% considered Hank's Salt solution. Majority (58%) were in the favor of flexible splints, and most considered splinting for 7-14 days (83%). Knowledge regarding the management of avulsed teeth is necessary for every practicing dentists. The data from this study showed that dental professionals in Karachi are abreast with the latest knowledge and literature regarding the management of avulsed teeth.
Key Words: Dental Trauma, Knowledge, Tooth Avulsion, Survey.
INTRODUCTION Dental trauma involves injuries to the tooth, periodontium and supporting alveolar bone. Traumatic dental injuries can have a significant impact on the life of a child, since it causes both physiological and physical pain.1 Every year a large number of dental injuries are reported especially among children belonging to 7-15 year age group.2 Dental injuries may cause intrusion, extrusion, avulsion, luxation and subluxation of the tooth.3 Main accidents resulting in dental injuries are usually falls that mostly occur while children are involved in outdoor activities such as sports like cycling and skating.4 This occurs in both children and adults. Literature states that the 'falls and blows to the face' are the most common causes of dental trauma.5 Other causes of dental...