[What does the non-dentistry-trained person know about avulsion?]

The prognosis of an avulsed permanent incisor depends on a swift and correct emergency treatment. The chance of a favourable prognosis increases if the tooth is replanted as quickly as possible, preferably by the persons first present at the scene of the accident. Usually this person is a layman, therefore the aim of this study is to investigate the knowledge in this respect. To 48 schools and 15 swimming pools in Amsterdam, Arnhem and Nijmegen (the Netherlands), questionnaires were sent. Thirty-six schools and 15 swimming pools responded. Twenty-eight percent of the respondents had previous experience with an avulsion. Ten percent of the respondents would replant the incisor and 90% would store the incisor. Sixty-three percent would treat the tooth correctly. Respondents with previous experience had no more knowledge of the most effective treatment than persons without previous experience. Swimming instructors and physical health instructors knew significantly more about avulsion than teachers in primary schools. Since only 10% of the respondents would replant the incisor and 37% would handle this accident incorrectly, more information seems to be necessary.