PEDIATRIC DENTISTS' KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE ABOUT TRAUMATIC DENTAL INJURIES IN PRIMARY TEETH IN THE FEDERAL DISTRICT, BRAZIL.

Resumo

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the pediatric dentists’ knowledge and attitude about traumatic dental injuries (TDI) in primary teeth in Federal District, Brazil. Also, to evaluate the correlation between adequate knowledge and the time of graduation of pediatric dentists. Methods: An electronic questionnaire assigned into two parts was applied. The first consisted of 8 questions about the dentist profile, and the second consisted of 15 questions that assessed the level of knowledge and attitude of pediatric dentists concerning TDI in primary teeth. The data obtained through the questionnaires were tabulated in an Excel spreadsheet and a descriptive analysis was performed, to obtain the relative and absolute frequencies of the answers. Chi-square test was used for analysing the association between the correct answers and the dentists’ years of experience (p<0.05). Results: Of the 104 questionnaires sent, 49 were answered, with 93.9% of the participants being female and between 25 and 55 years old. A total of 71.4% of pediatric dentists were over 10 years after graduation. Only 20.4% had more than one speciality, and the majority worked in private practice (63.3%). According to the answers, 73.33% of the questions reached more than 50% of correct answers. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed among professionals with different years of experience, with a higher number of correct answers among those who had been graduated for a longer period. Conclusions: Pediatric dentists in the Federal District, Brazil have good knowledge and attitude about TDI, however, they need to update themselves periodically regardless of the time of graduation.