Management of Avulsed Permanent Tooth, Knowledge and Attitude of Parents in Kashmir Valley

Dental problems being the most common health problem that affects children. Most traumatic injuries to the teeth and their supporting structures constitute a true dental emergency and because teeth have the lowest potential of any tissue for returning to a normal healthy state following injury, most injuries require urgent evaluation and treatment. Due to lack of awareness and knowledge among parents/mothers most of children with dental trauma present late for treatment that result in unfavorable long-term prognosis. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of parents regarding dental avulsion and its emergency management using a questionnaire. Materials and Methods: The study included 500parents who accompaniedtheir children, aged between 5 years and 14 years, to the Dental Section Sub District Hospital Damhal,Kulgam, J&K. Chi-square test was done to evaluate the association between the results and the genders, educational level, and geographical status of the respondents. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0 Results: This study showed 90% of parents knew that saving an avulsed permanent tooth is important but majority of parents thought ice water was the best media to transport avulsed teeth. The data showed that there was lack of knowledge regarding the preservation and management of avulsed tooth amongst parents. Conclusion: This study showed lack of lack of awareness among the parents regarding the emergency management of dental trauma, This warrants the need of an effective communication between dental professionals and parents for better handling of dental traumas and thus preventing the physical, psychosocial, and economic consequences of trauma by appropriate assessment, education, and referral of children to the dentist.