Simple Ways May Teach School Staff About Dental Trauma
April 9, 2008

by Nancy Volkers
InteliHealth News Service

INTELIHEALTH - If your child's tooth gets knocked out on the playground, his teacher - and even the school nurse - might not know what to do. But some simple education methods can help.

Researchers from the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill, did a study of elementary school staff members. They tested them on what to do if a child has a dental injury, such as a broken or knocked-out tooth.

Before the study began, most staff did not know what to do for a dental injury. This study tested several teaching methods to educate and inform school staff about dental trauma. They wanted to see if written materials, lectures, or a combination of both teaching methods improved knowledge.

One month after the educational programs, the group that had received the written materials increased their knowledge the most. The written materials and lecture group remembered less.

After three months, the group that received the lectures and written materials had the most improvement in their knowledge about dental trauma.

The researchers say simple education methods that don't take much time can help school staff members learn more about dental injuries. This can improve the way these injuries are managed when they happen.

The study appears in the April issue of the Journal Dental Traumatology.