Comparison of effectiveness of different training tools on the level of knowledge about emergency management of avulsed teeth in non-dentists.

Objective: Tooth avulsion is a type of trauma requiring an emergency response, and the level of knowledge of non-dentists on the emergency management of avulsed teeth is important for the prognosis of affected teeth. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of training given using different tools on the level of knowledge about the emergency management of avulsed teeth in non-dentists. Methods: A total of 125 individuals (female, 32.8%; male, 67.2%; mean age, 38.5 ± 7.32 years) participated in the study. The participants were randomly assigned to three groups, and the training was offered to these groups using different training tools (group 1, storybook; group 2, poster; group 3, ToothSOS App). A survey was conducted on all participants to measure their knowledge levels before training (T0), immediately after (T1), and 1 month later (T2). The Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon, and Friedman tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: The participants' mean correct answer scores on a scale from 0 to 21 were 7.76 ± 4.00, 5.47 ± 4.71, and 7.38 ± 2.96 at T0 in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, and their mean scores increased to 14.68 ± 4.10, 13.74 ± 3.28, and 13.86 ± 3.01 at T1 and 13.41 ± 3.34, 12.34 ± 3.77, and 13.66 ± 3.56 at T2. The correct answer scores increased significantly at both T1 and T2 in all groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: None of the training tools used in the study was superior in increasing the level of knowledge. More comprehensive and long-term studies on this subject are needed.

Effectiveness of the ToothSOS App as a training tool for the emergency management of traumatic dental injuries among non-dentists.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) are a major and urgent problem in oral health. Therefore, non-dentists need to be conscious of the emergency management of TDIs. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the ToothSOS App on the level of knowledge about emergency management of TDIs among people who are not dental professionals. MATERIALS METHODS: One hundred and five non-dentists, aged 22-57 years, participated in this study and were given training on TDIs. The ToothSOS App launched by the IADT was used as a training tool. A 25-question survey was conducted three times; before the ToothSOS App was downloaded and reviewed (T0 ), immediately after (T1 ), and one month later (T2 ). RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference among the three time periods (p < .001) in terms of the knowledge about the management of TDIs, and the knowledge increased significantly (p < .001) at both T1 and T2 after reviewing the ToothSOS App. On a scale from 0 to 10, the mean correct scores increased from 2.85 ± 2.15 (median [min-max]: 2[0-10]) to 8.23 ± 2.21 (median [min-max]: 9 [1-10]) (effect size: 2.5) at T1 and to 7.40 ± 2.34 (median [min-max]: 8 [1-10]) (effect size: 2.1) at T2 . CONCLUSION: The ToothSOS App as a training tool was effective to increase the knowledge level of individuals about the emergency management of TDIs.

Parents' Ability to Distinguish Between Primary and Permanent Teeth.

Purpose: To investigate the extent to which parents can distinguish between their children's primary and permanent teeth in mixed dentition.
Methods: One hundred and fifty parents (107 mothers, 43 fathers) and their children (n=150; mean age=7.6±1.13 years old) were included in this study. All the children were examined, and their decayed, missing, and filled primary and permanent values and decayed, missing, and filled primary surface and permanent surface values were recorded. Parents were asked whether each of their children's 12 teeth on the maxillary and mandibular right side was a primary or permanent tooth. Each of their answers was recorded as zero (incorrect answer) or one point (correct answer), and the total score was calculated.
Results: One-third (33 percent) of the parents stated that the permanent first molar (PFM) was a permanent tooth, 59.3 percent said it was a primary tooth, and 7.3 percent said they had no idea. The median value of the total correct answer for the 12 teeth was 10. There were no statistically significant differences among the parents' total correct scores according to the sociodemographic status (P >0.05).
Conclusion: Parents do not have sufficient knowledge about their children's teeth, especially about PMFs. Parents' education on the subject is important for children's dental health.

Investigation of Turkish dentists' clinical attitudes and behaviors towards the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey study.

Currently, the whole world is under the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, and dentists are at high risk. The aim of this study was to investigate what kind of precautions Turkish dentists take in dental clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study population consisted of dentists in Turkey. An online questionnaire (23 questions-57 items) was sent to a sample of Turkish dentists from March 16 to March 20, 2020. The questionnaire comprised a series of questions about dentists' demographic characteristics, their concerns, and the measures taken in dental clinics against COVID-19. This study included a total of 1,958 Turkish dentists. A total of 1,274 (65.1%) were general dentists, and 684 (34.9%) were specialists. Five hundred twenty-two (26.7%) dentists attended an informational meeting on COVID-19. Of these dentists, 69.8% were aware of COVID-19 according to their self-assessed knowledge scores. More than 90% of the dentists were concerned about themselves and their families. Only 12% of the dentists wore an N95 mask. Although Turkish dentists took some precautionary measures, they did not take enough precautions to protect themselves, the dental staff, and other patients from COVID-19. As the number of COVID-19 cases increased, the measures taken slightly increased in dental clinics as well. Dentists are strongly recommended to take maximum precautions in the clinical setting. The guidelines about the COVID-19 pandemic should be sent to all dentists by the regional and national dental associations.

Investigation of Turkish dentists' clinical attitudes and behaviors towards the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey study

Currently, the whole world is under the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, and dentists are at high risk. The aim of this study was to investigate what kind of precautions Turkish dentists take in dental clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study population consisted of dentists in Turkey. An online questionnaire (23 questions­57 items) was sent to a sample of Turkish dentists from March 16 to March 20, 2020. The questionnaire comprised a series of questions about dentists' demographic characteristics, their concerns, and the measures taken in dental clinics against COVID-19. This study included a total of 1,958 Turkish dentists. A total of 1,274 (65.1%) were general dentists, and 684 (34.9%) were specialists. Five hundred twenty-two (26.7%) dentists attended an informational meeting on COVID-19. Of these dentists, 69.8% were aware of COVID-19 according to their self-assessed knowledge scores. More than 90% of the dentists were concerned about themselves and their families. Only 12% of the dentists wore an N95 mask. Although Turkish dentists took some precautionary measures, they did not take enough precautions to protect themselves, the dental staff, and other patients from COVID-19. As the number of COVID-19 cases increased, the measures taken slightly increased in dental clinics as well. Dentists are strongly recommended to take maximum precautions in the clinical setting. The guidelines about the COVID-19 pandemic should be sent to all dentists by the regional and national dental associations.

Investigation of Turkish dentists clinical attitudes and behaviors towards the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey study

Abstract Currently, the whole world is under the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, and dentists are at high risk. The aim of this study was to investigate what kind of precautions Turkish dentists take in dental clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study population consisted of dentists in Turkey. An online questionnaire (23 questions-57 items) was sent to a sample of Turkish dentists from March 16 to March 20, 2020. The questionnaire comprised a series of questions about dentists' demographic characteristics, their concerns, and the measures taken in dental clinics against COVID-19. This study included a total of 1,958 Turkish dentists. A total of 1,274 (65.1%) were general dentists, and 684 (34.9%) were specialists. Five hundred twenty-two (26.7%) dentists attended an informational meeting on COVID-19. Of these dentists, 69.8% were aware of COVID-19 according to their self-assessed knowledge scores. More than 90% of the dentists were concerned about themselves and their families. Only 12% of the dentists wore an N95 mask. Although Turkish dentists took some precautionary measures, they did not take enough precautions to protect themselves, the dental staff, and other patients from COVID-19. As the number of COVID-19 cases increased, the measures taken slightly increased in dental clinics as well. Dentists are strongly recommended to take maximum precautions in the clinical setting. The guidelines about the COVID-19 pandemic should be sent to all dentists by the regional and national dental associations.