Level of Knowledge, Attitude and Self-Reported Practice of Yasuj Primary School Teachers Regarding Avulsed Permanent Teeth

Background and Aim: Avulsion of anterior teeth has a negative impact on the quality of life, performance and facial esthetics of children, decreases the children's self-confidence and imposes a financial burden on their families. School staff have a significant role in management and timely referral of children with avulsed anterior teeth to health centers. The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge, attitude and self-reported practice of Yasuj primary school teachers regarding avulsed permanent teeth. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 250 male and female elementary school teachers in Yasuj using cluster random sampling. Data were collected via a researcher-made questionnaire including questions on teachers' knowledge, attitude, and self-reported practice of teachers on management of children with avulsed teeth. Data were analyzed via the Chi-square test, Odds ratio and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: About 20% of teachers had good knowledge, 59% had good attitude, and only 1.2% and 8% of teachers had good practice and efficiency to manage traumatic injuries of permanent teeth, respectively. Among the study variables (age, gender, educational level, teaching experience, and teaching course(, the strongest relationship was found between the teachers' educational level and age with their knowledge, attitude, performance and efficiency using generalized linear multivariate analysis. Only the relationship between age and scores of knowledge (P=0.009) and efficiency (P=0.03) was statistically significant. Conclusion: In the current study, the knowledge level of Yasuj primary school teachers about avulsed permanent teeth was poor, and their attitude and performance were moderate and very poor, respectively.