Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Clinical Photography for Pediatric Dental Trauma Documentation: A...

Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) require accurate documentation for diagnosis, treatment planning, and medico-legal purposes. International guidelines strongly recommend the use of clinical photography, yet its use among pediatric dentists has not been consistently evaluated across countries. This study aimed to assess pediatric dentists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the photographic documentation of TDIs.

A multinational, mixed-method cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and June 2025. Quantitative data were analyzed, while qualitative insights from open-ended responses were analyzed thematically and integrated with quantitative results. A non-probability convenience sampling method was used to recruit participants through professional networks, academic societies, and social media platforms.

A total of 404 participants from 14 countries responded, predominantly pediatric dentists (66.6%) with 5-20 years of experience. Most respondents (95.3%) considered photography important for documenting TDIs, but only 23.5% reported always using it. Smartphones were the most common tool (65.1%), while fewer used DSLR cameras (26.7%). Major barriers included uncooperative children (40.2%) and time constraints (27.4%). Formal training in photography was reported by 41.6% of participants. Multivariate regression showed that awareness of international guidelines (OR = 2.94; CI: 1.71-5.18, p < 0.001) and high perceived importance (OR = 4.63; CI: 1.56-18.21, p = 0.005) significantly predicted frequent use. Participants who were aware of IADT guidelines were almost three times more likely to use photography routinely, and those who perceived it as highly important were over four times more likely to do so. Thematic analysis highlighted ethical concerns, including uncertainty regarding parental consent and data storage, as well as training gaps and calls for standardized protocols.

Photography is essential for recording pediatric dental trauma, but is inconsistently used. Knowledge of guidelines and training influences implementation. Standardizing consent, training, and routine photography can bridge the gap between recommendations and practice.