Dental trauma management by New York City school nurses

The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and ability of school nurses in NYC to manage and properly treat traumatic dental injuries.

A survey questionnaire was sent to 160 randomly selected public schools and 40 randomly selected private schools in New York City. The questionnaire consisted of 24 multipart questions regarding background, personal experience, and knowledge of dental trauma.

Seventy-four percent (74%) of the nurses rated their confidence in handling dental trauma in the middle range on a scale from 1 to 10. Sixty-two percent (62%) of nurses knew liquid was the optimal transportation method of an avulsed tooth; however, 52% of participants responded incorrectly that it was not appropriate to replant an avulsed permanent tooth. Ninety percent of nurses surveyed were interested in receiving further education in the management of dental trauma.

This survey indicates that a gap of knowledge exists in the ability of school nurses to handle dental trauma.