Factors Associated with Knowledge and Attitude of Management of Traumatic Dental Injuries: A Cross-Sectional Study among Turkish Dentists

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the factors associated with knowledge and attitude of dentists regarding management of traumatic dental injuries (TDI). Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional and correlational study, the sample consisted of 136 Turkish dentists. A specialized questionnaire was developed and validated to collect data. The first part of the questionnaire included questions about sociodemographic characteristics, education level, working experince, working place, last dental trauma course, self-efficacy about management of TDI, and treatment frequency. The second part included a total of 17 questions with multiple choice and single correct answers regarding the management of intrusion and extrusion, avulsion, complicated crown fracture and crown-root fracture injuries in children. Descriptive statistics, multivariate analysis of variance, and partial eta squared coefficient (. 2) were used for statistical analysis. Results: There was a moderate level of knowledge among participants. The level of knowledge was statistically correlated (p<0.05) in terms of working experience, working place, last dental trauma course and education level of participants, but not according to gender, self-efficacy, and treatment frequency (p>0.05). General dentists had lower self-efficacy than specialist dentists (p<0.05). Conclusion: While Turkish dentists working in a province seem to have a moderate level of knowledge regarding treatment of different types of TDI, it is necessary to carry out necessary studies to improve the knowledge and raise self-efficacy.