Comparison of effectiveness of different training tools on level of knowledge about emergency management of avulsed teeth in non-dentists

Aim: Tooth avulsion is a type of trauma requiring emergency response, and the level of knowledge of non-dentists on the emergency management of avulsed teeth is important for the prognosis of the teeth. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the training given by using different training tools on the level of knowledge about the emergency management of avulsed teeth in non-dentists. Materials and Method: A total of 125 individuals who were randomly selected from those applying to the Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology of the Faculty of Dentistry of Inönü University, Turkey, from 15 April 2021 to 15 September 2021 (Female: 32.8%, Male: 67.2%, Mean age: 38.5±7.32 years) participated in the study. The participants were randomly assigned to three groups, and the training was offered to these groups by using different training tools. A survey was applied to all participants to measure their knowledge levels before training (T0), immediately after (T1), and one month later (T2). The Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon, and Friedman tests were used for statistical analysis of the collected data. Results: It was found that the mean correct answer scores obtained by three groups of participants, who had training by using a book, poster, and ToothSOS app, on a scale from 0 to 21 were 7.76±4.00, 5.47±4.71, and 7.38±2.96, respectively before training (T0), and their mean scores increased to 14.68±4.10, 13.74±3.28, and 13.86±3.01 immediately after training (T1). Besides, 14.4% of the participants stated that they previously had avulsion experience. Moreover, in group ToothSOS app, the participants who were healthcare workers obtained higher mean correct scores in T0 and T1 than those who were non-healthcare workers, and these differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: It has been observed that all training tools used in the study do not have superiority over each other in increasing the level of knowledge. More comprehensive and long-term studies on this subject are needed.