Knowledge and practice of health workers to tooth avulsion in a teaching hospital in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: The health care workers (HCW) may be the first contact of a tooth avulsion case. This study aimed to assess their knowledge and practice of emergency management of tooth avulsion.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out among health care workers in a teaching hospital, using a self-administered questionnaires containing closed and open-ended questions, on their knowledge and practice of management of tooth avulsion. Data collected was analyzed using EPI info version 7 statistical software.

Results: A total of 362 questionnaires were administered with a response rate of 90.4%. The health care workers were 331 between the ages of 18 years to 64years. There were 200 (60.4%) females and 131(39.6%) males (ratio 3:2). Less than half (41.7%) of the respondents rated their knowledge on avulsion as fair. About half of the respondents 156 (47.1%) reported that primary tooth should be replaced into the socket. The knowledge of how to hold avulsed tooth among 217 (65.6%) of the respondents was incorrect. More than half 185 (55.9%) answered that avulsed teeth, will be stored in a dry medium. Less than half, 146 (44.1%) knew the appropriate storage media to be used. Only a third 122 (36.9%) were confident in their knowledge to replant an avulsed tooth. About a third 114 (34.4%) of HCW had encountered an avulsion case, most were dentists and nurses. More than a quarter 92 (27.7%) referred the avulsion while (16.1%) did nothing to the avulsed tooth.

Conclusion: There is a need to increase the knowledge and practice of HCW, so that immediate replantation can be practiced thereby improving the prognosis for replanted teeth.