Knowledge of Management of Traumatic Dental Injuries of Emergency Department Physicians and Residents in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate knowledge of emergency department physicians and residents (ED-Drs) about management of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Methods: A cross sectional study of ED-Drs was conducted using a questionnaire and a score of TDI knowledge (TDI-K) was created (maximum of six). Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square, Fisher’s exact, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis tests, and significance was set as P<0.05.

Results: One hundred fifty-five physicians participated, with one-third reporting they encountered TDI more than once a week. Sixty percent of ED-Drs had received TDI education, of which a significantly higher proportion (84.4 percent) were Western-trained (P=0.007). Consultants and specialists had the highest knowledge scores (P=0.001). ED-Drs with five to 10 years’ experience scored significantly lower (3.07 }1.65) than those with less than five years of experience (3.86 }1.36) and those with more than 10 years of experience (3.83 }1.36, P=0.034). Only 38.2 percent of general practitioners (GPs) were confident placing sutures intraorally, compared to 80.6 percent of the consultants and specialists and 57.1 percent of the residents.

Conclusion: Overall knowledge of TDI and their management among ED-Drs across the UAE is inadequate. GPs had the lowest knowledge and confidence to manage TDI.