Year: 2026 | Month: July-September | Volume: 11 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 56-61
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/gijhsr.20260307
Evaluation of Knowledge and Clinical Decision-Making of General Dental Practitioners for Pediatric Dental Trauma and Tooth Discoloration
Sridhar. M1, Burma Aishwarya2, Naseemoon Shaik3, Bhagyasri Krishna4, Hiba Tazeen5
1Professor & Head of the Department, Department of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry MNR Dental College, Sangareddy, Telangana.
2,4,5Post Graduate Student, Department of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry MNR Dental College, Sangareddy, Telangana.
3Associate Professor, Department of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry MNR Dental College, Sangareddy, Telangana.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Naseemoon Shaik
ABSTRACT
Background: Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) and tooth discoloration are frequently encountered in pediatric dental practice and require prompt diagnosis and appropriate management to ensure favorable clinical outcomes. General dental practitioners (GDPs) often serve as the first point of contact for these patients; therefore, their knowledge of evidence-based management protocols is essential.
Aim: To evaluate the knowledge and clinical approach of general dental practitioners regarding the management of traumatic dental injuries and tooth discoloration in children.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among general dental practitioners from July to October 2025. The questionnaire, adapted from a previously validated survey and modified according to the 2020 International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) guidelines, comprised 13 close-ended questions assessing knowledge of dental trauma, avulsed tooth management, and tooth discoloration. Following pilot testing, the questionnaire was distributed electronically, and 105 complete responses were included in the analysis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and expressed as frequencies and percentages.
Results: Among the 105 respondents, 74% were female and 26% were male. Most participants demonstrated satisfactory knowledge regarding traumatic dental injuries and tooth discoloration. While 76% correctly identified the appropriate storage medium for an avulsed tooth, only 49.9% were aware of the recommended replantation timing. Knowledge regarding fluorosis as a cause of tooth discoloration was reported by 94% of participants, 90% were aware of available treatment options, and 81% correctly identified developmental causes of tooth discoloration. However, only 60% recognized drug-induced causes of tooth discoloration.
Conclusion: General dental practitioners demonstrated moderate overall knowledge regarding pediatric dental trauma and tooth discoloration. Although awareness of the etiology and management of tooth discoloration was satisfactory, deficiencies in the emergency management of avulsed teeth highlight the need for continuing professional education to improve adherence to contemporary trauma management guidelines.
Keywords: Avulsed tooth; Children; General dental practitioners; Knowledge; Pediatric dental trauma; Tooth discoloration; Traumatic dental injuries.