AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF A GROUP OF LIBYAN SCHOOL TEACHERS IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OF DENTAL TRAUMA

Abstract

Emergency management of dental trauma is one of the important subjects in the field of dentist. The problem of the study is to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of Libyan school teachers about emergency management of traumatic dental injury. The study population consists of all of public primary and preparatory schools teachers in the district of Benghazi city. A total of (500) teachers from different schools constituted the sample of the study. A modified questionnaire consisted of three major parts was used to assess the perception of school teachers. A total of (435) questionnaire received, (406) of them (81%) were valid for statistical analysis. Responses obtained from completed questionnaires were tabulated expressed as frequency distributions, and in percentages. Further, the responses were entered on computer, using SPSS. Chi-square test was used to compare the knowledge of teachers. The results of the study revealed that: 1. Knowledge regarding emergency management of dental trauma of primary and preparatory school teachers in Benghazi city is insufficient. 2. The specific area of weakness in teachers‘ knowledge of immediate dental trauma management needs to be emphasized. It has been noticed that management regarding dental trauma is not included in the teaching curriculum. 3. Based on the statistical analysis it was obvious that there no relation between awareness and knowledge of emergency management of dental trauma and the length of service as a teacher, training gained by teachers, and teachers who took first-aid course. The study recommended that educational authorities are advised to direct their efforts toward well-established educational programs & campaigns for teachers about emergency management of dental trauma.