Smartphone App as an aid in the emergency management of avulsed teeth. Issue 1 (31st August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Al‐Musawi, Ala; Al‐Sane, Mona; Andersson, Lars
• Is Part Of: Dental traumatology. Volume 33:Issue 1(2017:Feb.)
• Page Start: 13
• Page End: 18
• Publication Date: 2016-08-31
• Subjects: tooth avulsion -- dental trauma -- replantation -- emergency management -- App; Teeth -- Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; Dentistry, Operative -- Periodicals; Traumatology -- Periodicals; Endodontics -- Periodicals; 617.6
• DOI: 10.1111/edt.12298
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1600-4469

Abstract

Abstract: Background/Aim: The initial response by bystanders to an avulsed tooth is a significant factor that can affect its survival and long‐term outcome. This study was to assess the knowledge of emergency management of tooth avulsion in a group of schoolteachers and to compare the effects of three different educational interventions. Methods: Baseline knowledge was assessed using a questionnaire developed for this study. The same questionnaire was used to test changes in the knowledge level following each educational intervention. A convenience sample of elementary and intermediate school teachers ( n = 87) participated in this study. Teachers were divided into three groups: Group 1 (Lecture only) was given a 30‐min lecture on the emergency management of tooth avulsion. Their knowledge was assessed immediately after the lecture. Group 2 (Lecture and App), the same lecture was given, but participants also had access to a smartphone App, Dental Trauma App (Dental Trauma AB, Linköping, Sweden), when assessed on their knowledge after the lecture. Group 3 (App), this group was only given the smartphone App to explore and had access to that when being assessed. Results: All three interventions increased the knowledge of tooth avulsion management. A marked increase in the knowledge, regardless of the type of intervention, was observed in the following areas: handling the tooth on the ground (16–96.8%); holding the tooth while being cleansed (19.1–62.5%); and on the best storage medium (10.1–59.3%). Participants using the App only had a significantly higher mean score than participants receiving the lecture only (group 3; P = 0.019) and participants subjected to both Lecture and App (group 1; P = 0.000). Conclusion: The Dental Trauma App alone is an effective means of providing accessible knowledge to guide laypeople in managing tooth avulsion, and it can be superior to a lecture‐based delivery of information.