Improving dental emergency literacy for preschool teachers and parents

Abstract

Dental emergencies can arise within the field of dentistry, with trauma to primary teeth being a notable example. Globally, the prevalence of dental trauma in children stands at 10-15%, and such incidents can lead to significant medical, aesthetic, and psychological consequences. Parents and school teachers play crucial roles in administering timely and appropriate treatment for children facing dental emergencies. It is imperative to enhance the knowledge of parents and teachers concerning these emergencies to ensure effective care. To address this, a method involving training sessions on managing children's dental emergencies for parents and KB-TK Whiz Kids Playschool teachers, coupled with pre-tests and post-tests, was employed. The outcomes revealed a notable improvement in participants' knowledge (n=51) both before (Range = 10–80, Mean = 47.2) and after (Range = 70–100, Mean = 87.0) the training. In summary, this training successfully elevated participants' understanding of handling children's dental emergencies.