Vol. 1, Issue 1, Part A (2014)

Abstract: Aim: To know the medical professional knowledge in management of dental injuries and appropriate onward referrals. Purpose: Dento-alveolar fractures, long-term prognosis greatly depend on appropriate early management. Poor treatment outcomes as a result of inadequate or delayed management can be damaging to a patient due to dental aesthetic and functional defects which may also have a psychological impact. Material and methods: A cross sectional survey using a pre-tested questionnaire given to all the medical professionals who dealt with accident cases was conducted in randomly selected eight hospitals of south Indian district, Guntur. Results: out of 150 questionnaires given 116 were responded, with a response rate of 77%. Training regarding dental injuries received was 69 (59.5%). The response for avulsed tooth for immediate re-implant was 75 (64.7%). Conclusions: the results from this study suggest that knowledge of the management of dental injuries among medical professional was inadequate. However, appropriate training can significantly increase their knowledge.