Citation

Ode W, Lopez V, Wong ML, Schou L, Yu VSH. Dent. Traumatol. 2018; 34(5): 320-328.

Affiliation

Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/edt.12415

PMID

29896936

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIM: Patients suffering dental trauma are unprepared for the disability challenge and necessary rehabilitation, while a traumatic event places an expanded demand on the dentist who is focused on treating disease. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) on patients, and to compare patients' and dentists' perceptions of the event. MATERIAL AND METHODS: TDI patients (aged ≥ 21 years) attending a tertiary dental hospital from 2011 - 2013 and their dentists were recruited with informed consent. An exploratory sequential mixed methods design was adopted. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) quantitatively identified patients with "very often", "fairly often" or "occasionally" in at least one of the OHIP-14 questions (Phase 1), to participate in the qualitative phase of the study through focus group discussions (FGD) (Phase 2). FGD for dentists was conducted separately.

RESULTS: Quantitative analysis showed 28-55% of TDI patients had "occasional" to "very often" discomfort during eating, increased self-consciousness and embarrassment. Qualitative analysis showed patients were concerned with aesthetic disability, treatment cost and potential tooth loss but overcame their negative outlook and accepted prescribed protective measures. Dentists appreciated patients' concerns about aesthetics and functional disruptions but were less attuned to patients' sense of guilt and fear of judgement.

CONCLUSIONS: TDI exert functional, psychological and social impacts on patients. Patients' and dentists' perspectives were useful for understanding the need for continuity of care and the findings could contribute to effective TDI management. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Dental traumatology; Oral Health Impact Profile; focus group discussion; mixed methods approach; quality of life; traumatic dental injuries