144 Ann Ig 2014; 26: 144-147 doi:10.7416/ai.2014.

1969
A. Quaranta et al.

What do parents know about dental trauma among

school-age children? A pilot study
A. Quaranta*, O. De Giglio*, C. Coretti*, G. Barbuti*, L. Strohmenger**

Key words: Dental trauma, questionnaire, parents, guidelines

Parole chiave: Traumi dentari, questionario, genitori, linee guida

Abstract
Background. The Ministry of Health published in November 2012 the “National guidelines for the prevention
and clinical management of dental trauma in individuals during their developmental age”. The aim of this
study is to verify the knowledge among parents of children of primary schools to plan corrective actions.
Methods. The study was carried out filling in an anonymous questionnaire distributed to parents enrolled
in three primary schools.
Results. Despite the publication of the National guidelines, the survey results confirm parents’ lack of
awareness, knowledge and skills in relation to dental trauma.
Conclusions. This survey will allow to plan a training on interventions aimed at the protection of oral
health.

Introduction poorly informed, whose prevalence has not

A dental trauma can be defined the effect
of an accidental event that involves the hard
and the support structures of a tooth. The
most common age at which a dental trauma
can occur is 8-12 years, when the periodontal
structure surrounding the erupting teeth is
weaker and provides minimal resistance to
an extrusive force (1, 2). The correct recovery
of the tooth/fragment is related to both the
time elapsed between the traumatic event
and the intervention of the dentist, both for
its proper handling, cleaning and transport
(2-6). The dental trauma are a little in-depth
topic, health related, on which the public is
only increased in recent years, but it also
constitutes a greater threat for oral health
in relation to dental caries and periodontal
diseases (1, 3).
The literature shows that the knowledge
of the correct procedures to follow in case
of a dental trauma is not adequate both
among parents and teachers of primary and
secondary school (2, 4, 7-13). To cope with
the lack of information and the prevalence
of traumatic events, in November 2012 the
Ministry of Health published the “National
guidelines for the prevention and clinical
management of dental trauma in individuals
during their developmental age” (14).

* Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
** Department of Health Sciences, WHO Centre of Collaboration of Milan “Epidemiology and Community Dentistry”,
University of Milano, Milano, Italy
Dental trauma: a pilot study
The aim of this study is to verify the
knowledge among parents of children of
primary schools to plan corrective actions.
Materials and methods
The survey was carried out during the
period January-May 2013, selecting three
primary schools in the province of Bari. The
parents were enrolled on a voluntary basis
and were not remunerated for participation.
The sample was asked to complete an
anonymous questionnaire, divided into three
sections:
1. parents’ data (gender, age, level of
education, number of children, occupational
activity);
2. a g e o f c h i l d r e n a n d l eve l o f
schooling;
3. questions related to knowledge,
management and eventual experience
regarding their children’s dental trauma.
Results
Of the 900 enrolled parents, 710 (78.8%,
of whom 77% female and 23% male) filled
out the questionnaire and were considered
for the analysis.
The interviewed parents were aged
between 30 and 39 years (49%), between
40 and 49 years (43%), between 20 and 29
years (5%), > 50 years old (2%), < 20 years
old (1%).
With regard to the educational level, 42%
of the sample claimed to have the average
school license, 38% the secondary school
diploma, 11% the primary school license,
9% the university degree.
Regarding to the employment, 55% were
housewives, 32% were in service, 13% were
unemployed. The parents resulted to have
two children (50%), three children (36%),
more than three children (7%), one child
only (7%).
145
The interviewees claimed to know the
meaning of dental trauma (71%) and to
have knowledge about what to do in case
of dental trauma (51%). This information
were provided by dentist (72%), family
physician (8%), friends (6%), brochures
(4%), television (3%), Internet (2%), other
(5%).
About the experience in the field of dental
trauma, 16% of the parents stated that their
child had a dental trauma, occurred at home
(62%), whilst playing sport (17%), at school
(7 %), in other places (14%); they would turn
to the dentist (80%), to the Emergency Room
(11%), to the family doctor/paediatrics (7%),
finally 2% did not specify it. With regard
to the timing to act after a traumatic event,
41% stated within 30 minutes, 22% within 2
hours, 9% the following day and 28% were
not able to quantify the time required.
With regard to the management of dental
trauma, 66% of parents claimed to know
that an avulsed or fragmented tooth can be
replanted. The avulsed tooth or its fragment
would be placed in a handkerchief (45%),
in a sterile physiological solution (42%),
into milk (12%), in the mouth/baby saliva
(1%).
Regarding to the use of dental protections,
58% would recommend them while playing
or during sport activities. Of the 42% who
would not recommend them, 53% were
not informed, 27% considered them not
necessary, 10% would not recommend them
for aesthetic reasons and 10% gave up for
the high costs.
Discussion and conclusions
The success of the intervention as a result
of dental trauma depends on the careful
handling of the situation. Some authors
show that the actors present at the accident
site, especially mothers and teachers, have
not the necessary information to better assist
the traumatized child (2, 4-13).
146
Our data confirm the parents’ lack of
awareness, knowledge and skills in managing
a dental trauma. This finding is important
because most of the injuries occurs at home
or at school. Although the use of mouth
guards does not fall within ordinary habits
of families, it is important to highlight that
the majority of parents would turn to the
dentist in case of trauma and would act
within 30 minutes. This data is comforting if
we consider that the success of the recovery
of the tooth is guaranteed at 90% when it
occurs at least within 2 hours (14, 15). Ozer
et al. (2) believe that such behavior is due to
the perception of the professionalism of the
dentist and his appropriate equipment. On
the contrary, regarding to the preservation
of the traumatized tooth our results are
not satisfactory because a considerable
number of the interviewed would keep it in
a handkerchief.
In conclusion, we believe that this study,
although preliminary, represents an incentive
for further researches on this topic because
the oral health is an indispensable element for
the overall well-being of the individual and it
must be preserved since childhood (16, 17).
The role of the dentist, in collaboration with
the paediatrics, school teachers (particularly
those dealing with physical activity) and the
parents, becomes essential for the welfare of
our children.
Riassunto
Cosa sanno i genitori sui traumi dentari dei bambini
in età scolare? Risultati preliminari di uno studio
pilota
Background. Il Ministero della Salute ha pubblicato
nel Novembre 2012 le “Linee guida nazionali per la
prevenzione e la gestione clinica dei traumi dentari
negli individui in età evolutiva”. Scopo di questo studio
è verificare la conoscenza tra i genitori di bambini delle
scuole primarie.
Metodi. Lo studio è stato condotto mediante la distri-
buzione e compilazione di un questionario anonimo da
parte dei genitori arruolati.
A. Quaranta et al.
Risultati. Nonostante la pubblicazione delle Linee
guida, i risultati dell’indagine confermano la scarsa
consapevolezza, conoscenza e abilità dei genitori sul da
farsi in caso di trauma dentale.
Conclusioni. Questa indagine consentirà di pianificare
una linea di condotta per interventi di formazione e pre-
venzione mirati alla tutela della salute orale.
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Corresponding author: Dott. Alessia Quaranta, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University
of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11 – Policlinico, 70124 Bari, Italy
e-mail: alessia.quaranta@uniba.it
147
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