Optimizing Documentation in Dental Trauma Cases: Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis

There are several challenges encountered in the traumatic dental emergencies including their documentation. The aim of this 2-stage study is to perform a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the current state on traumatic dental emergencies, and the end-user experience on the "Add Dental Trauma" dialog box in a Patient Management Software (PMS).

Stage 1 study involved an online questionnaire (24 questions) where correlates were evaluated using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. One-to-one interviews were conducted to assess the registration, treatment, and referral processes in cases with dental trauma (n = 10). In stage 2 the experiences of clinicians using the "Add Dental Trauma" dialog box in PMS were analyzed qualitatively using the "think-aloud" technique, and quantitatively with 28 statements corresponding to "DeLone and McLean Information System Success Model" rated on a 5-point Likert scale.

A total of 126 dentists participated in the survey. The most reported challenges encountered during emergency shifts were the lack of staff (57.1%), materials and equipment (55.6%). Besides, 82.5% of them indicated that they felt responsible for treating dental trauma, and 59.5% of them reported the use of PMS. Dentists working in the university hospitals were significantly more capable of treating luxation injuries (excluding avulsions) (p < 0.001), while the ability to treat avulsion injuries did not differ significantly among dentists (p = 0.072). The feasibility of treating complicated cases was significantly higher at university hospitals and among pediatric dentists. One-to-one interviews emphasized the need for training in recording cases of dental trauma. The "think-aloud" analysis revealed that dentists were not fully aware of the features of the dialog box in PMS. Evaluation using the DeLone and McLean model indicated net benefits in its use and further improvements regarding its application were suggested.

The findings revealed that the management of traumatic dental emergencies remains challenging across settings, underscoring the need for standardized documentation. "Add Dental Trauma" dialog box in PMS may be a promising tool for recording and targeted training could promote adoption, improve data interoperability, and support better care and research.