Educational background of Flemish dental practitioners and their perceptions of their management of dental trauma.

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze whether any correlation existed between Flemish dental practitioner's educational background and their perceptions of their knowledge regarding emergency treatment for crown fractures and their actual expertise.

Methods: A questionnaire was distributed among 336 dental practitioners at six different locations in the country and completed prior to a lecture on dental traumatology. The response rate was 100%. The questionnaire consisted of three parts: the first part enquired about personal background, the second part requested a self-assessment of the practitioner's dental trauma education and treatment experience, and the third part tested the knowledge of the practitioner by asking for responses to different options for emergency treatment for dental trauma.

Results: Nearly 63% of the participants had more than 20 years of experience. Satisfaction about adequacy in basic education in dental traumatology was significantly related to the years as graduation to older graduates being less satisfied. This observation was not related to the additional education taken. Most frequently, uncomplicated crown fractures (42%) were seen more frequently than severe injuries. Concerning knowledge, a high result (67%) of incorrect answers was given for the treatment for injured immature permanent incisors. However, a high correlation was found between good knowledge of treatment and young professionals who graduated <10 years ago. Referring dental injuries for treatment was correlated with increasing level of difficulty. In the permanent dentition, however, complicated crown fractures (CCF) in immature teeth were not referred in many (66%) cases.

Conclusion: It was observed that the knowledge of Flemish dental practitioners regarding emergency treatment for CCF is insufficient especially for the management of immature incisors.