Evaluation of Dental Trauma Knowledge and ToothSOS Application Awareness Among Emergency Physicians

Emergency physicians are among the first healthcare professionals to manage traumatic dental injuries, yet knowledge deficiencies may compromise early care. This study evaluated emergency physicians' knowledge of traumatic dental injury management, ToothSOS awareness, and factors independently associated with overall knowledge.

This questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted among emergency physicians in Turkey between April 2 and May 19, 2026. The survey assessed demographic and professional characteristics, traumatic dental injury knowledge, ToothSOS awareness, and willingness to use the application. Item-level associations were analyzed using chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests. An overall knowledge score, ranging from 0 to 8, was analyzed using univariable comparisons and multivariable linear regression. Factors associated with willingness to use ToothSOS were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression.

A total of 208 emergency physicians were included. Correct-response rates ranged from 47.1% for the first intervention for an avulsed permanent tooth to 91.8% for identifying the most commonly affected teeth. ToothSOS awareness was 1.0%, although 79.6% of unaware participants stated they would consider using the application. The mean overall knowledge score was 5.23 ± 1.48. Previous dental trauma training and clinical exposure to traumatic dental injury cases were associated with higher scores in univariable analyses; only clinical exposure remained an independent predictor after adjustment. No factor independently predicted willingness to use ToothSOS.

Emergency physicians demonstrated moderate overall traumatic dental injury knowledge, with deficiencies in avulsion management and referral decisions. Previous clinical exposure to such cases was the only independent predictor of higher knowledge scores, supporting structured training rather than reliance on incidental experience. Low ToothSOS awareness, despite high willingness to use it, supports integrating dental trauma education and digital decision-support tools into emergency medicine training and clinical protocols.