Physical Education Teachers’ Knowledge Assessment on Reimplant-Avulsion

Objective: To assess the knowledge on reimplant-avulsion of Physical Education Teachers’ in the city of Caruaru (PE). Methods: The study was carried on in the city of Caruaru, Pernambuco (BR), and the participants were 79 professionals who were interviewed through a standard questionnaire containing 11 questions related to dental avulsion as well as to the procedures to be followed in such cases. Results: Only 20.3% of teachers knew what dental traumas are, but none of them had studied the subject during their undergraduate course. It was explained to participants what a dental avulsion was and 44.3% of them answered that they had already seen this kind of trauma in their classes. All professionals said they would give children a handkerchief or a towel for them to bite in order to control bleeding. 19% of the participants would not know what to do and 81% would wash the tooth in water. Most of them (86.1%) recognized the importance of an immediate treatment; all of them said they would wrap the tooth in a paper napkin until the child was assisted; and 26.6% said they would suggest an analgesic for the pain. Conclusion: Teachers did not show any knowledge of the emergency procedures that should be taken in a case of dental avulsion. The inclusion of such procedures in the programs of physical education courses and the availability of preventive educational programs is needed in order to increase the chances of a successful dental reimplant.