An Assessment of Emergency Care Following Tooth Avulsion Among A Selected Population of Nigerian School Children

Joycelyn O Eigbobo* and Sylvia S Etim

Received: February 11, 2020;   Published: February 20, 2020

DOI: 10.32474/IPDOAJ.2020.03.000174

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Abstract

Aim: To assess the knowledge of school children on the first aid administered after traumatic tooth avulsion.

Methods: A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from children of six primary and six secondary schools in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Information elicited included respondents’ socio-demographics, exposure to dental trauma and knowledge on emergency care for tooth avulsion. Data collected was analysed using SPSS Version 22 and level of significance was set at p <0.05.

Results:There were 411pupils; 194 males and 217 females with a mean age of 12.5 (±2.6) years. One hundred and eighty-three (44.5%) had previous dental injuries. Three hundred and twenty-three (78.6%) would seek treatment in dental clinic after tooth avulsion. Only 16 (3.9%) would replace the tooth in its socket, 160 (38.9%) would take it to the dental clinic and 192 (46.7%) will throw the tooth on a roof top. Only 164 (39.9%) would seek immediate treatment. Twenty-two (5.4%) will use milk as storage/ transport media. There were statistically significant differences between
a) The males and females in their time for seeking treatment (p=0.01).
b) The public and private school pupils on where to go for treatment (p=0.013) and transport media use (p=0.00).
c) The primary and secondary school pupils on replantation of avulsed tooth (p=0.03) and transport media use (p=0.00).

Discussion: Although majority knew who a dentist is, their knowledge of emergency care when avulsion occurs is low; they require oral health education to bridge the gap in their knowledge.

Keywords:Tooth avulsion; traumatic dental injuries; emergency care; Nigerian school children; tooth replantation; transport media

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