First-aid knowledge about tooth avulsion among dentists, doctors and lay people

In avulsion, teeth are bodily displaced out of the bony socket. Boys, aged 7-9 years, are most prone to avulsion of maxillary central incisors. Tooth avulsion should ideally be treated with immediate replantation. Because of the urgency in treatment, personnel dealing with this injury should have knowledge about the first-aid treatment. This study was conducted to assess the first-aid knowledge about tooth avulsion among dentists, doctors, students, school teachers and the general public in Lahore, Pakistan. Data were collected using a form with one open-ended question about the first-aid treatment of traumatic avulsion. Immediate replantation of the avulsed tooth was suggested by 10.1% of 377 respondents. Among dentists, 45.8% suggested immediate replantation, with the rest suggesting transport of the tooth to a dentist for replantation. Among all other groups (non-dentists) immediate replantation was suggested by 4.6% and transport to a dentist by 3.3%. Non-dentists in Pakistan, including doctors, have insufficient knowledge about the immediate treatment of tooth avulsion. Dentists, in comparison, have significantly more knowledge, but may need training in selection of the appropriate treatment option and handling and care of the avulsed tooth.