Child Care Providers' Knowledge About Dental Injury First Aid in Preschool-age Children

J Dent Hyg. 2017 Jun;91(3):55-62.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess child care providers' level of knowledge of first aid management and attitudes towards dental injuries among preschool-age children within Fairfield County, Connecticut and Boston, Massachusetts.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study used a web-based, validated questionnaire adapted from several studies with permission from authors. A panel of 5 dental experts determined the relevance of the questions and overall content (I-CVI range 0.8-1; S-CVI = 0.95). The 28 question survey included demographics, level of knowledge, attitudes about traumatic dental injuries, emergency management, and 2 case study questions on management of luxation and tooth fracture. Survey data was coded and analyzed for associations and trends using STATA® statistics/data analysis software v. 11.2.Results: A total of 100 child care providers completed the online questionnaire. Eighty-four percent self-reported little to no knowledge about dental injury management. Sixty percent of child care providers agreed that they are responsible for managing dental injuries. Approximately two-thirds of child care providers reported not feeling adequately informed about dental injuries, with 77% expressing interest in receiving more information.Conclusions: The majority of child care providers' do not have the knowledge to perform adequate first aid following a dental injury. Professional development on first aid for dental injuries is recommended among this workforce population.

Keywords: child care providers; dental trauma; first aid; pre-school children.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child Care*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dental Care for Children
  • First Aid*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Personnel / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Massachusetts
  • Middle Aged
  • Self Report
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tooth Fractures
  • Tooth Injuries / therapy*
  • Young Adult