BMC Oral Health. 2025 Dec 5. doi: 10.1186/s12903-025-07052-5. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Dental trauma constitutes the second most common cause of emergency dental care worldwide, after cavities, accounting for approximately 5% of all physical injuries across all age groups. Early intervention is crucial, especially for children and adolescents, who present a higher incidence due to their active lifestyle. This study aims to conduct a systematic review and descriptive analysis to assess the level of knowledge among non-dental healthcare professionals in the management of dental trauma, identifying gaps in their education and proposing educational interventions to improve care in this critical field.
METHODS: This systematic review was structured according to the SPIDER strategy: population, non-dental healthcare professionals, exposure to a clinical situation, management of dental trauma and outcome knowledge, attitude and awareness. The included studies were analyzed descriptively. Mean values and other summary statistics reported in each study were extracted and organized according to the primary variables of interest, focusing on the domains of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of non-dental healthcare professionals. Due to the substantial heterogeneity in study designs, measurement tools, and response formats, no pooled or inferential analyses were performed. The articles were analyzed by the authors and summarized using a “KAP Heat Map” approach, in which colors indicated the level of knowledge (< 25%, 25-50%, 51-75%, and > 75%), and the width of the columns represented the number of studies for each question stem (QS), based on data reported in the included studies.
RESULTS: Only two studies of 25 concluded that the level of knowledge was adequate, seven studies indicated a moderate level of knowledge, and sixteen studies reported an inadequate level of knowledge. Twelve of the included studies mention the need for continuing education in dental trauma for health professionals. Most included studies exhibited moderate to high risk of bias.
CONCLUSIONS: The studies reviewed showed that the level of knowledge of health professionals such as doctors and nurses is inadequate. This shows a lack of training during their academic training as well as a lack of training in the workplace.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: This systematic review has been registered in PROSPERO with CD CRD578189 on August 9, 2024.
PMID:41351000 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-025-07052-5
