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.
Footnotes
Kristine L. Sienkiewicz, RDH, MS, is a practicing dental hygienist in Milford, Connecticut; Lori Rainchuso, RDH, MS, DHSc is the graduate program director at Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene; Linda D. Boyd, RDH, RD, EdD is the dean of Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene; Lori Giblin, RDH, MS is an associate professor at Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene; all are at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences University, Boston, MA.
This manuscript supports the NDHRA priority area Population Level: Health Services (Epidemiology).
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