Knowledge and Attitude of the Emergency Management of Tooth Avulsion in Children: A Comparison between Fathers & Mothers in Mangalore South (Rural & Urban)

Dr. Onashri Ranjit; Dr. Sundeep Hegde K; Dr. Sham S Bhat

Volume : IX, Issue : V, May - 2019

Knowledge and Attitude of the Emergency Management of Tooth Avulsion in Children: A Comparison between Fathers & Mothers in Mangalore South (Rural & Urban)

Dr. Onashri Ranjit, Dr. Sundeep Hegde K, Dr. Sham S Bhat

Abstract :

Traumatic dental injuries are one of the commonly encountered dental emergencies. Missing anterior tooth in children due to any injury can be a source of considerable physical and psychological discomfort for the child. The prognosis of some dental injuries depends to a great extent on parents’ knowledge of correct and prompt emergency measures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of the fathers and mothers towards emergency management of dental trauma in children between 8–14 years in urban and rural areas of Southern Mangalore. A cross sectional survey was conducted in various schools in and around Mangalore South. A questionnaire was formulated to assess the knowledge and attitude of fathers and mothers from rural and urban areas of 8–14 years old children regarding the management of avulsed tooth. The results of the study revealed insufficient knowledge among rural fathers and mothers compared to urban fathers and mothers regarding emergency management of tooth avulsion. It was found that most of the urban parents would look for lost avulsed tooth which shows that they are aware that there is a possiblity of replantation following the avulsion of tooth. However, both the groups showed positive attitude towards the emergency management. This study also showed the need to provide the rural population with information regarding the emergency management of avulsed tooth.