Knowledge and Self-Efficacy Regarding Traumatic Dental Injury Management Among Dutch Dentists: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND
Aims
Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) represent a significant number of oral region injuries. Despite existing guidelines, studies suggest dentists have insufficient knowledge of TDI management. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess knowledge and self-efficacy regarding TDI management among a sample of dentists in the Netherlands.
Methods
An online questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of 600 dentists selected by the Royal Dutch Dental Association. The questionnaire collected demographic and professional characteristics. To assess self-efficacy, the general self-efficacy scale was adjusted for traumatic dental injuries (TDI-GSES), with scores ranging form 10 to 40. To measure knowledge about the management of TDI cases, the Traumatic Dental Injury Questionnaire (TDIQ) was administered with a score range from 0 to 11. To analyse the data, Mann-Whitney U tests and Student t tests were used for binary independent variables. For independent variables with more than 2 categories, Kruskal-Wallis, 1-way analysis of variance, and Spearman rank correlations were performed. Linear regression was done to assess whether there was an association between knowledge and self-efficacy.
Results
The response rate was 10%. The median TDIQ score was 9.0 (interquartile range, 8-10), with men having slightly higher scores than women (P = .008). The mean (SD) TDI-GSES score was 32.4 (4.3; 95% CI, 31.2-33.5). There was no association between TDI-GSES scores and TDIQ scores. However, years of professional experience, respondents' perception of a need to improve accessibility to the TDI guidelines, and their perception of a need for additional educational programs were associated with self-efficacy.
Conclusions
The level of knowledge and self-efficacy regarding TDI management among the respondents seems satisfactory. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The findings highlight the clinical importance of accessible guidelines and continued education to support dentists in the timely and appropriate management of TDIs.