Knowledge of undergraduate and postgraduate dental students about managing traumatic dental injuries based on the 2020 International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines: A online survey of 10 dental schools from 10 countries.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The knowledge of dental students about managing traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) may not be uniform, depending on global location and dental education. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge of undergraduate and postgraduate students specializing in endodontics and pediatric dentistry at 10 dental schools in 10 countries about the 2020 International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) guidelines regarding the management of TDIs. MATERIALS & METHODS: A previously published questionnaire was used in the current survey. It was an online survey with 12 questions regarding the management of TDIs and some additional questions regarding sociodemographic and professional profiles of the participants were added. The survey was distributed to final-year undergraduate students and postgraduate students in pediatric dentistry and endodontics from 10 dental schools. Simple frequency distributions and descriptive statistics were predominantly used to describe the data. Differences in the median percentage scores among the student categories were assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner pairwise comparisons. RESULTS: A total of 347 undergraduates, 126 postgraduates in endodontics, and 72 postgraduates in pediatric dentistry from 10 dental schools participated in this survey. The postgraduates had a significantly higher percentage score for correct responses compared with the undergraduates. No significant difference was observed between the endodontic and pediatric dentistry postgraduates. CONCLUSION: The knowledge possessed by undergraduate and postgraduate students concerning the IADT-recommended management of TDIs varied across the globe and some aspects were found to be deficient. This study emphasizes the critical importance of reassessing the teaching and learning activities pertaining to the management of TDIs.

Psycho-social perspectives of nonsurgical versus surgical endodontic interventions in persistent endodontic disease.

INTRODUCTION: Patients' experiences related to dental treatment could influence care-seeking behaviour and engender personal bias. Although endodontic retreatment and apical surgery are procedures often performed to manage previously treated teeth with persistent disease, there is lack of information regarding psycho-social perspectives of patients who undergo these treatments. Our aim was to compare experiences of patients who received these two treatment modalities using a qualitative approach. METHODS: A purposive sample of patients was taken from our previous study utilizing the Oral Health Impact Profile to compare oral health-related quality of life of 150 patients who received retreatment and apical surgery. Patients who reported impact and no impact were invited to participate in focus group discussions (FGDs). Eighteen patients from the retreatment group and 15 patients from the surgical group participated in six FGDs. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify key themes. RESULTS: Four themes emerged: (1) psycho-social disability associated with dental procedures, (2) physical disability associated with dental problems, (3) reliance on dentist's advice for treatment and (4) self-management to preserve treated teeth. Patients undergoing endodontic retreatment reported significant time loss from work and were less informed of alternative treatment options. However, they were pleased with the aesthetics of their teeth, especially if new crowns were made. Patients undergoing surgery experienced anxiety related to loss of control during surgery and apprehension on visualizing the wound post-surgery. They reported more impact on their diet, social interaction and sleep quality and some felt self-conscious due to post-treatment gingival recession. Patients in both groups placed great trust in professional advice and expressed a clear desire to maintain their natural dentition. There was low awareness regarding long-term care and future sequelae of their treated tooth. CONCLUSIONS: Patients reported different psycho-social and physical impacts following endodontic retreatment and apical surgery. Patients undergoing endodontic retreatment were more satisfied with aesthetic outcomes but experienced greater impact related to complexities and length of time taken for treatment. Patients undergoing surgery were better informed of treatment options but experienced greater physical and psycho-social disability during the recovery phase. Clinicians could consider incorporating findings from this study into the patient-dentist discussion.

Factors Influencing Quality of Life after Surgical and Nonsurgical Interventions of Persistent Endodontic Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Nonsurgical endodontic retreatment and apical surgery are predictable procedures for the management of endodontically treated teeth with persistent disease. However, there is no information available that compares these treatment modalities based on patients' oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL). The aims of this study were to compare the OHRQOL of patients who received nonsurgical endodontic retreatment versus those who received apical surgery and to identify correlations between OHRQOL, clinician-assessed healing outcome, and other factors. METHODS: Patients who received treatment at 2 dental hospitals with a recall period of 6-24 months were invited to participate. They underwent follow-up examination and were surveyed with the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). Healing outcomes were determined by clinical and radiographic evaluation. Potential influencing factors for OHIP-14 scores were investigated. RESULTS: One hundred fifty patients (75 patients from each group) participated in the study. There were no differences in OHIP-14 scores between both groups at the follow-up. The overall adverse impact on OHRQOL was low, with patients experiencing greater impact in the domains of "physical pain" and "psychological discomfort." Women and patients who had preoperative pain reported a greater impact. There was an overall high healed and healing rate for both groups. No correlation was found between OHIP-14 scores and healing outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who received nonsurgical endodontic retreatment and apical surgery reported comparable OHRQOL, with women and patients with preoperative pain reporting greater impact. Both treatments are viable options for the management of persistent endodontic disease based on clinician- and patient-reported outcome assessments.

Understanding patients' and dentists' perspectives in dental trauma management: A mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Patients suffering dental trauma are unprepared for the disability challenge and necessary rehabilitation, while a traumatic event places an expanded demand on the dentist who is focused on treating disease. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) on patients and to compare patients' and dentists' perceptions of the event. MATERIAL AND METHODS: TDI patients (aged ≥ 21 years) attending a tertiary dental hospital from 2011 to 2013, and their dentists were recruited with informed consent. An exploratory sequential mixed-methods design was adopted. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) quantitatively identified patients with "very often," "fairly often" or "occasionally" in at least one of the OHIP-14 questions (Phase 1) to participate in the qualitative phase of the study through focus group discussions (FGD) (Phase 2). FGD for dentists was conducted separately. RESULTS: Quantitative analysis showed 28%-55% of TDI patients had "occasional" to "very often" discomfort during eating, increased self-consciousness and embarrassment. Qualitative analysis showed patients were concerned with aesthetic disability, treatment cost and potential tooth loss but overcame their negative outlook and accepted prescribed protective measures. Dentists appreciated patients' concerns about aesthetics and functional disruptions but were less attuned to patients' sense of guilt and fear of judgement. CONCLUSIONS: TDI exert functional, psychological and social impacts on patients. Patients' and dentists' perspectives were useful for understanding the need for continuity of care, and the findings could contribute to effective TDI management.