Use of artificial intelligence chatbots in dental traumatology has increased. However, concerns regarding their reliability are yet to be addressed. This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of a new AI chatbot Dental Trauma Evo in responding to queries on dental fractures and luxations. A total of 45 questions, including multiple-choice questions (MCQs), true/false, and yes/no types of questions were created and validated in accordance with the International Association of Dental Traumatology's position statement on fractures and luxations. Over the course of nine consecutive days in incognito mode, they were simultaneously exposed to four chatbots: ChatGPT-4o, DeepSeek R1, Google Gemini 2.5, and Dental Trauma Evo. The obtained answers were verified for accuracy and consistency. The Fisher's exact test was used for statistical analysis. The best overall accuracy was shown by Dental Trauma Evo (85.43%), which was followed by Google Gemini (81.72%), DeepSeek (80.24%), and ChatGPT-4o (79.75%). Regarding question type, ChatGPT-4o, Google Gemini, and Dental Trauma Evo recorded the best responses to Yes/No, True/False, and MCQs respectively. There was an insignificant difference between the question type and the different chatbots (p > 0.05). The Dental Trauma Evo chatbot developed using the International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines exhibited a favorable preliminary performance in the current study. Further research, clinical validation, and model enhancements are necessary to ensure the effective implementation of the same in practice.
Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) represent an important public health problem, and immediate access to accurate information is critical for their effective management. With the growing use of smartphones, mobile applications may serve as accessible tools for providing guidance during dental emergencies. This study aimed to evaluate the content and quality of smartphone applications available for the management of TDIs. A systematic search was performed in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store using relevant keywords related to dental trauma and dental emergencies. Applications providing information on the management or prevention of TDIs were included. The quality and content of the applications were assessed using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) and recommendations from the International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines. Out of 124 identified applications, seven met the inclusion criteria (four iOS and three Android). All applications were free and mainly targeted patients. Most apps focused on the management of traumatic injuries to permanent teeth and provided guidance for various dental trauma emergencies. Among the evaluated applications, ToothSOS demonstrated the highest quality scores and the greatest adherence to IADT guidelines. Smartphone applications related to dental trauma management show variability in their content and educational value. Among the available applications, ToothSOS was identified as the most comprehensive and reliable resource for managing traumatic dental injuries.
Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) are highly prevalent worldwide and require immediate and appropriate management to ensure favorable outcomes. The aim of the study was to develop and validate SOS Dental Trauma, an interactive artificial intelligence-based chatbot integrated with WhatsApp. SOS Dental Trauma was designed to provide first-aid guidance based on the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) recommendations until professional care is available. The chatbot was developed using natural language generation techniques, programmed with a structured clinical script strictly limited to dental trauma management in primary and permanent dentitions. The chatbot was implemented with the FastAPI framework in Python, hosted on a cloud server, and integrated into WhatsApp through Twilio. Validation was performed in two stages: (1) assessment by six independent experts in the field of dental traumatology (three general dentists and three endodontists) who evaluated clarity, appropriateness, and coherence of the interaction flow; and (2) performance testing with simulated clinical cases corresponding to trauma types included in the IADT ToothSOS application. Outcomes were defined as accuracy (correspondence to IADT guidelines) and completeness (including all clinically relevant steps). A minimum sample of 384 interactions was calculated, and a performance threshold of 90% accuracy was established. Cases not reaching this threshold were revised and retested. Experts highlighted the need for more explicit question formulation and adjustments to interaction flow, which were incorporated into the final version. In the initial tests, the chatbot achieved 100% accuracy and completeness for permanent dentition. Nevertheless, it fell below the threshold in cases of primary dentition, particularly luxation and displacement, due to oversimplification of management options. After prompt revisions, the system achieved 100% accuracy and completeness for all trauma types. The chatbot provided structured, accessible, and user-friendly instructions in alignment with IADT recommendations, demonstrating consistency and reliability. The SOS Dental Trauma chatbot showed high accuracy and completeness in simulated scenarios, offering immediate, evidence-based guidance for TDIs in both primary and permanent dentitions. Delivering structured recommendations through a widely used platform such as WhatsApp expands access to reliable first-aid information, supports patients and caregivers in dental trauma management, and has potential as a complementary tool in dental emergencies and health education.
This study aimed to explore the socioeconomic consequences of traumatic dental injuries caused by the police use-of-force during social mobilizations in Chile. This was a multi-method, qualitative-dominant study. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients who suffered a dental trauma injury due to police use-of-force in the context of social mobilizations in Chile. Participants included individuals aged 18 and above who provided informed consent. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. In addition, the costs of dental treatment were estimated based on data from the clinical record. The total treatment cost per patient was calculated, and descriptive analysis was performed. Seven individuals were interviewed, with ages ranging from 18 to 43 years. Content analysis identified four main themes: social consequences, direct economic consequences, indirect economic consequences, and functional consequences. Social consequences included restrictions on social activities, impacts on interpersonal relationships, and a negative perception of the Chilean police. The direct and indirect economic consequences encompassed perceptions of the costs of dental treatment, time spent recovering or attending treatment sessions, and overall difficulties in working or continuing studies, while functional consequences included modifications to daily living activities such as chewing, eating, speaking, and controlling saliva. The estimated direct costs of dental treatments per case averaged USD 1293 (standard deviation: 553.86). Traumatic dental injuries resulting from police use-of-force during the 2019-2020 social mobilizations in Chile led to significant and diverse socio-economic and functional consequences. Understanding the socio-economic consequences of traumatic dental injuries caused by police use-of-force is crucial for developing comprehensive care and support systems for affected individuals, highlighting the broader implications of such injuries.
This evidence mapping (EM) and quality assessment of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in Dental Traumatology (DT) aimed to identify the RCTs, distribute them in different domains and subdomains, analyze their methodological characteristics, and assess their quality. A protocol was developed as per the principles of Global-Evidence-Mapping (EM) and registered in open-sciences-framework. A systematic electronic search was performed in the PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, Web of Science, LILACS, and COCHRANE on September 30, 2025. Grey literature and reference searches were also performed. RCTs with intervention arms with/without a control group, having details of randomization related to any domain of DT, were included after screening of titles, abstracts, and full-text articles. Studies were distributed in domains and subdomains, and data related to demographic and methodological characteristics were extracted and analyzed. Risk of bias (ROB) was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB-2) and details were presented in the form of an abacus EM plot. The study identified 30 RCTs in four domains of DT, with the highest in the therapeutic domain and subdomain of treatment protocols in permanent dentition. Seven studies were published before 2010, nine between 2010 and 2019, and 14 others from 2020 to date. They represented 13 countries, with the highest from China, the United Kingdom, and India. A protocol was registered in 10 studies, and the majority of the studies had not followed Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines. Only three RCTs were found to have a low ROB. The majority of studies exhibited a lack of methodological robustness in defining their hypothesis, sample size estimation, randomization, and statistical evaluation of outcomes. This was the reason for 27 of them being graded as having high ROB or some concerns. The results of this EM may help researchers in identifying the areas for future research and guide them to follow the best practices in the planning and conduct of RCTs.
Traumatic dental injuries are a common oral health problem among children and have significant health consequences. Children with autism spectrum disorder may face an increased risk of traumatic dental injuries, potentially due to developmental delays, sensory difficulties, and behavioral challenges. However, the relationship between the severity of autism and the extent and occurrence of dental trauma remains unclear. To our knowledge, this is the first study to aim at evaluating the association between the severity of autism and the incidence and severity of dental trauma. This retrospective chart review analyzed data from children aged 3-15 years with autism spectrum disorder, who received their health and dental care at a major pediatric health center between 2016 and 2024. A total of 441 patients with autism were included in the study. Statistical analyses were used to examine associations between sex, autism severity, and dental trauma incidence and type/severity. Among the 441 participants, 9.1% experienced at least one dental trauma. No statistically significant associations were found between autism severity and dental trauma incidence (p = 0.136) or severity (p = 0.517). Furthermore, sex was not associated with the occurrence of dental trauma (p = 0.591). The severity of autism spectrum disorder and sex are not associated with the occurrence or severity of dental trauma among children. These findings suggest that factors beyond the severity of autism may play a more significant role in the risk and impact of dental trauma in this population. A clearer understanding of additional contributing variables is essential to inform more effective prevention and management strategies for high-risk individuals within this population.
To assess knowledge of initial management of traumatic dental injuries among senior medical students and to compare knowledge at cohort level before and after implementation of structured teaching on traumatic dental injury management within an emergency medicine module. This single-center study was conducted at a German medical faculty. An anonymous structured questionnaire covering common first-aid scenarios for traumatic dental injuries, including avulsion, luxation, and fracture management, was administered to two independent cohorts of senior medical students before and after implementation of a dental trauma lecture. The questionnaire comprised 16 multiple-choice items regarding knowledge of traumatic dental injury management. Total knowledge scores and item-level results were compared between cohorts using unpaired statistical analyses. A total of 117 students participated in the pre-implementation cohort and 92 in the post-implementation cohort. Mean knowledge scores were higher in the post-implementation cohort (10.0 vs. 6.6 points, p < 0.0001). The proportion of students classified with low knowledge decreased, whereas moderate and high knowledge categories increased at cohort level after structured teaching. Higher proportions of correct responses were observed in avulsion-related items, including replantation and appropriate timing of intervention. However, no significant differences were found in management of luxated primary teeth and recommended timing of dental referral after initial management. Knowledge of traumatic dental injury management among senior medical students was predominantly low before lecture implementation and was higher at cohort level after structured teaching within an emergency medicine module. Given the anonymous unpaired design, these findings should be interpreted as cohort-level differences rather than direct within-subject learning effects. Clinically relevant gaps persisted in dentition-specific management and dental referral timing. These findings support structured integration of guideline-based dental trauma management into medical curricula while highlighting the need for future studies assessing practical skills and clinical performance.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global health concern, with over a quarter of women and girls worldwide experiencing IPV at least once in their lifetime. Previous research has indicated that dentists often lack the training and confidence to handle IPV-related concerns in clinical settings. The purpose of this study was to examine dental professionals' knowledge, attitudes, and solutions offered to victims regarding IPV-related concerns. A cross-sectional study in a survey format was administered across Canada to collect responses from dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists, and dental assistants. The questions in the survey were designed to evaluate professionals' knowledge of IPV, comfort levels addressing the topic with their patients, attitudes toward IPV, and knowledge of intervention resources. Overall, 327 dental professionals completed the survey, with 183 dentists, 77 dental assistants, 60 dental hygienists, and 5 dental therapists. Most dental professionals indicated that they have not received training related to IPV at any point either during their education (88%) or career (81%). Furthermore, most dental professionals reported that they did not feel comfortable speaking to patients about IPV-related concerns (51%) nor did they feel prepared to provide referrals or resources to victims. However, dental professionals generally feel that they do have a role in responding to IPV-related events (55%) and would like more training on this topic (61%). Dental professionals largely believe that they are key responders to assist potential IPV victims and appear willing to take steps toward doing so. This study's findings also indicate that there is not currently widespread access to the tools, protocols, and educational resources that could facilitate this assistance.
This study aimed to compare the performance of artificial intelligence-based deep convolutional neural networks, YOLOv8, YOLOv11, and YOLOv12, in segmenting dental injuries using panoramic films of pediatric patients with traumatic dental injuries. Panoramic radiographs of pediatric patients aged 6-13 years with traumatic dental injuries presented to the Gaziantep University Faculty of Dentistry were input into an artificial intelligence model (CranioCatch, Eskisehir-Turkey) using YOLOv8, YOLOv11, and YOLOv12 as models to automatically detect and classify dental injuries. The AUC values of YOLOv8, YOLOv11, and YOLOv12 were 0.72, 0.69, and 0.73 for hard tissue injuries and 0.61, 0.67, and 0.69 for soft tissue injuries, respectively. Multiclass F1-scores are 0.592, 0.653, and 0.683, respectively. All models were able to better discriminate hard tissue injuries, and the most consistent results were obtained with YOLOv12. The YOLOv12-based deep learning model demonstrated better performance in detecting dental trauma in pediatric panoramic radiographs compared to other models. Nevertheless, artificial intelligence has not yet achieved flawless performance in Dental Traumatology. Therefore, AI tools should be developed in collaboration with expert dentists to better support clinical decision-making in dental trauma cases.
There are several challenges encountered in the traumatic dental emergencies including their documentation. The aim of this 2-stage study is to perform a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the current state on traumatic dental emergencies, and the end-user experience on the "Add Dental Trauma" dialog box in a Patient Management Software (PMS). Stage 1 study involved an online questionnaire (24 questions) where correlates were evaluated using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. One-to-one interviews were conducted to assess the registration, treatment, and referral processes in cases with dental trauma (n = 10). In stage 2 the experiences of clinicians using the "Add Dental Trauma" dialog box in PMS were analyzed qualitatively using the "think-aloud" technique, and quantitatively with 28 statements corresponding to "DeLone and McLean Information System Success Model" rated on a 5-point Likert scale. A total of 126 dentists participated in the survey. The most reported challenges encountered during emergency shifts were the lack of staff (57.1%), materials and equipment (55.6%). Besides, 82.5% of them indicated that they felt responsible for treating dental trauma, and 59.5% of them reported the use of PMS. Dentists working in the university hospitals were significantly more capable of treating luxation injuries (excluding avulsions) (p < 0.001), while the ability to treat avulsion injuries did not differ significantly among dentists (p = 0.072). The feasibility of treating complicated cases was significantly higher at university hospitals and among pediatric dentists. One-to-one interviews emphasized the need for training in recording cases of dental trauma. The "think-aloud" analysis revealed that dentists were not fully aware of the features of the dialog box in PMS. Evaluation using the DeLone and McLean model indicated net benefits in its use and further improvements regarding its application were suggested. The findings revealed that the management of traumatic dental emergencies remains challenging across settings, underscoring the need for standardized documentation. "Add Dental Trauma" dialog box in PMS may be a promising tool for recording and targeted training could promote adoption, improve data interoperability, and support better care and research.
Artificial intelligence-based chatbot systems are increasingly used for dental emergency guidance, yet the clinical value of sequential consultation remains unclear. This study investigated whether response order influences the quality of chatbot-generated answers to permanent tooth avulsion questions. Eight frequently asked questions covering key decision points in avulsion management were developed based on International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines. Three publicly accessible chatbots-ChatGPT (GPT-5), Gemini (Gemini 1.5 Pro), and DeepSeek (DeepSeek-R1)-were queried using a standardized sequential prompt design. For each question, all chatbot order permutations were applied so that each system generated first-, second-, and third-position responses. Second- and third-position prompts required evaluation of prior responses and correction of missing or incorrect information, thereby creating a controlled "maximum correction opportunity" condition. Responses were generated in independent sessions and evaluated by three expert dentists blinded to model identity using predefined criteria: accuracy, safety, completeness, correction ability, clarity, and usefulness. Composite scores were calculated within seven conceptual evaluation frameworks, and response-order effects were tested using the Friedman test with Kendall's W. Across all seven conceptual evaluation frameworks, composite quality scores did not differ significantly according to response order (all p > 0.05), with Kendall's W indicating negligible effect sizes. No consistent improvement was observed in accuracy, safety, completeness, or correction ability in second- or third-position responses. Model-specific analyses confirmed the absence of response-order effects across all chatbot platforms. Under structured evaluative conditions permitting explicit revision, sequential consultation of multiple chatbot systems did not improve the quality, safety, or guideline alignment of information provided for dental avulsion management. These findings suggest that response-order effects alone may have limited corrective impact in this context and should be interpreted within the boundaries of controlled experimental modeling.
Daily use of chatbots has become widespread in dental education just as in every other field. Dental students consult them when performing tasks and studying for exams. This study aims to test comprehension abilities and knowledge of 5 different chatbots (Gemini 1.5/1.5Pro, ChatGPT 4.0/4.0o, and Deepseek) and compare them with students' at the topic of dental trauma. The questionnaire is designed as 25 multiple-choice questions according to International Association of Dental Traumatology guideline and it's divided to three groups as 'indication and description', 'intervention and treatment' and 'splint and follow up times'. The prepared questions in the survey were asked to five different chatbots (Gemini 1.5/1.5Pro, ChatGPT 4.0/4.0o and Deepseek) and 4th/5th (n = 134) year dental students. The accuracy percentages were calculated by the answers of the students and chatbots. While examining Skewness and Kurtosis test for data distribution, ANOVA test was used to assess the differences between the participant. After achievement test adjustments the highest mark of total questionnaire is received by the 5th graders (69.96%) and it's followed by the ChatGPT 4.0 and Gemini 1.5 Pro (68.75%) with the same score. Other chatbots couldn't be successful to reach out the level of knowledge of 5th or 4th graders (65.85%). The speed and efficiency of artificial intelligence bots in providing information are undeniable. However, as the results of this study indicate that all the information they provide is not accurate, it is important to examine the sources of these responses and verify the information with multiple references.
A dental splint is a stabilization device designed to support an injured tooth by allowing physiological tooth mobility and redistributing stresses to adjacent healthy teeth. Dental splints incorporating auxetic structures with a negative Poisson's ratio can offer improved biomechanical performance. The aim of the present work is to optimize dimensions and evaluate the biomechanical performance of a superelastic NiTi alloy-based double U-arrowhead (DUA) auxetic dental splint for reducing the stress and tooth mobility of an avulsed tooth. The DUA splint was optimized by varying dimensions of arm-width (0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8 mm) that influence overall dimensions of motif. Finite element analysis under tensile and bending conditions was conducted to evaluate the effect of arm-width on Poisson's ratio, effective modulus, and effective bending stiffness. The biomechanical performance of the DUA splint was assessed using a 3D maxillary avulsed tooth model under masticatory loading (100 N) applied to the lingual surface of the crown. On increasing arm-width leads to a gradual increase in effective modulus (36.7-43.6 GPa), bending stiffness (3.1-5.44 N/mm), and reduction in negative Poisson's ratio (-0.21 to -0.01). The avulsed tooth model shows a reasonable reduction in maximum principal stress (11.14%), minimum principal stress (23.89%), and tooth mobility (24.77%) of avulsed tooth and PDL von-Mises stress (26.47%) when splinted with DUA splint of 0.7 mm arm-width. Further comparison with a commercial Titanium trauma splint showed better performance of DUA splint (0.7 mm). The proposed superelastic NiTi alloy-based DUA auxetic splint with 0.7-mm arm-width reduces tooth mobility and stresses without exceeding biological limits. This will facilitate the reimplantation of the avulsed tooth, ensuring healing of the PDL and allowing physiological tooth mobility for ossification of the alveolar bone around the tooth socket. This will inhibit further complication of the affected tooth such as hyalinization of PDL, root resorption, or tooth ankylosis.
Dental avulsion is among the most common traumatic dental injuries in children, with prognosis heavily reliant on the prompt response of parents or caregivers. While such injuries can have significant and lasting physical, emotional and social impacts on children and their families, the specific nature and extent of these effects remain understudied in New Zealand. To explore the lived experiences of New Zealand children, adolescents, and their families following dental avulsion of permanent maxillary central incisors, and to identify barriers to accessing timely emergency dental care. Exploratory qualitative research design involving the use of semi-structured interviews (n = 11). The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants were recruited via social media and advertisements. Interviews were conducted with 11 children and adolescents, along with their parents. Thematic analysis revealed five major themes: the injury itself, challenges in accessing emergency dental care, emotional and psychological impact (identified as a key finding), treatment experience and outcomes, and the role of barriers and enablers. The degree of impact varied depending on parental, caregiver, or teacher awareness, access to timely care and treatment success. Parents with prior knowledge of dental trauma were more likely to seek immediate care, leading to more favourable treatment outcomes and reduced emotional distress. In contrast, lack of awareness, limited access to emergency services, and poor treatment outcomes were associated with heightened negative emotional and psychological effects. This is the first study in New Zealand to explore the lived experiences of children and their families following a dental avulsion injury. It highlights the emotional, practical and clinical impacts on both children/adolescents and their caregivers. The findings reveal persistent barriers to accessing timely emergency dental care. There is a critical need for improved education and awareness about dental avulsions and appropriate immediate care to support better outcomes.
Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) significantly affect quality of life and healthcare costs. Large administrative datasets using ICD codes offer opportunities for epidemiological research; however, the accuracy of International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes for TDIs remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the validity of ICD-10 codes in identifying TDIs and their ability to specify injury type in a pediatric emergency department (ED) setting. A cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study was conducted at a large urban-based children's hospital. Children aged 0-18 years presenting to the ED between January 2021 and August 2022 were included. Patients with documented dental injuries (positive controls) or facial injuries (negative controls) were identified using structured dental trauma flowsheets and computed tomography (CT) scan records, respectively. Manual chart reviews served as the reference standard. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of ICD-10 codes for TDI were calculated. Secondary analysis assessed whether ICD-10 codes matched the specific type of TDI (fracture vs. periodontal injury). A total of 405 patients (mean age 10.5 ± 4.7 years) were analyzed. Overall accuracy of ICD-10 codes for TDIs was 78.5%, with sensitivity of 60.1% and specificity of 98.4%. Positive predictive value was 97.6%, and negative predictive value was 69.4%. Among true positives (n = 127), 96% of ICD-10 codes correctly reflected the specific injury type (fracture vs. periodontal injury). The most frequent correct codes were S03.2XXA (dislocation of tooth, initial encounter) and S02.5XXA (fracture of tooth, initial encounter). The most common incorrect code among false negatives was S09.93XA (unspecified injury of face). ICD-10 codes demonstrate high specificity but moderate sensitivity for TDI in pediatric ED records. Undercoding remains a concern and may lead to underestimating TDI prevalence and incidence. Improved education and coding practices are essential to enhance data reliability for research and healthcare planning.
The prognosis of traumatized teeth might be influenced by the type and quality of the dental splint. This prospective observational study was aimed to evaluate the indications and quality of dental splints performed in a comprehensive public oral health service in the city of Uberlândia, Brazil. Between January 2024 and January 2025, 51 dental splints involving 320 teeth were evaluated. Data of the dental splint types (semi-rigid or rigid), splint characteristics, polishing of resin composite, plaque retention, oral hygiene orientation, patient satisfaction, duration of the splint, and adherence to IADT protocol were recorded. Data were analyzed descriptively. Most dental splints were semi-rigid using fishing nylon line (58.8%); 49% showed improper alignment. Visible plaque was presented in 73.4% and gingival inflammation in 66.9% of the dental splints. Only 32.6% of treated patients received oral hygiene instructions. Diagnostic errors were found in 19.6% of cases, and 31.4% did not follow the recommended protocols regarding the correct dental splint rigidity. Gaps related to splint indication, application, and follow-up were observed within the public healthcare services evaluated in this study. Reinforcing the necessity of training and continuing education, protocol standardization and better recording documentation are essential to enhance trauma care outcomes follow-up. Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (ReBEC) under the UTN code: U1111-1309-8338.
New resins for the additive manufacturing of mouthguards for contact sports are now available on the market. However, no study has evaluated the impact performance of these resins. The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the shock absorption capacities of custom-made mouthguards produced by additive manufacturing with those of thermoformed mouthguards. Three types of custom-made mouthguards were fabricated: 3D-printed Keyguard and Dima resin mouthguards and thermoformed triple-layer mouthguards. For each type of mouthguard, eight samples were produced. Each mouthguard was subjected to an impact performance test defined by the NF S72-427 standard for industrial mouthguards. Mean transmitted deceleration must not exceed 230 g (g = 9.81 m/s2) and no individual impact should exceed 250 g. Mechanical performance was evaluated by a series of five consecutive impacts with a drop-mass impact test on the inter-incisal area. Peak force transmission and deceleration were measured. Thickness decrease was assessed by 3D scanning. None of the mouthguards met the impact absorption standard. Thermoformed mouthguards exhibited major structural failure after the first impact. For 3D-printed mouthguards, average peak deceleration ranged from 255 to 278 g for Dima and 292 to 299 g for Keyguard. Corresponding transmitted forces ranged from 2753 to 3106 N (Dima) and 3192 to 3292 N (Keyguard), with no significant difference between the two 3D-printed mouthguards (p > 0.05). Mean thickness decrease at the impact site was 0.2 mm for Dima mouthguards, 0.1 mm for Keyguard mouthguards, and 0.3 mm for thermoformed mouthguards. Although none of the tested mouthguards met the NF S72-427 standard, 3D-printed custom devices demonstrated promising shock absorption performance after repeated impacts. These results highlight the potential of additive manufacturing as a cost-effective alternative to conventional thermoformed mouthguards, particularly for younger athletes requiring frequent replacements.
According to Dutch dental trauma guidelines (DTG), optimal outcomes for avulsed permanent teeth are achieved when replantation or professional treatment occurs within 30 to 60 min following trauma. However, studies suggest that patients in the Netherlands often seek care well beyond the critical window for effective intervention, reducing the chances of successful reimplantation. This delay may be partly due to limited public awareness of appropriate first-aid measures for dental avulsion. This study assesses awareness and perceived urgency in managing dental avulsion among Dutch students, focusing on knowledge gaps and their variation across different educational levels. Participants included secondary school students and individuals in higher education with both medical and non-medical backgrounds. A 16-item questionnaire, incorporating a case-based scenario, was designed to evaluate general awareness and urgency perception. The questionnaire was distributed in educational settings between December 2024 and February 2025 and completed by students. A total of 348 responses were included. Only 49% of participants correctly identified the recommended treatment timeframe of 30 min or less. Those with a dental background scored highest overall (p < 0.001), while secondary school students scored lowest. Medical students showed significantly greater general knowledge of avulsion management ("awareness") than secondary school students (p < 0.05); however, they did not differ considerably in recognizing the urgency of treatment or in taking correct immediate actions ("sense of urgency"). Notably, only 17% of participants answered all six key management questions correctly according to national guidelines, highlighting substantial knowledge gaps, even among higher-education groups. The findings of this study indicate significant knowledge deficits regarding the emergency management of dental avulsion across all educational levels. These results highlight the urgent need for targeted educational strategies to enhance first-aid awareness, particularly among adolescents and medical students, with an emphasis on timely and appropriate response.
Oro-dental trauma (ODT) is a significant health concern among adolescents participating in contact sports due to frequent physical contact and increased risk of orofacial injuries. Despite the availability of preventive measures such as mouthguards, their utilization remains limited, particularly in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and impact of ODT and to explore perceptions regarding mouthguard use among adolescent contact sportspersons in Lucknow, North India. An explanatory mixed-methods study was conducted among 13-18-year-old contact sportspersons in four sports complexes in Lucknow, India. The quantitative phase involved a cross-sectional survey using the Universal Sports Dental Examination Protocol (USPDES) and the Adolescent Oro-Dental Trauma Impact Index (AODTII). Clinical examination assessed dental trauma, oral health status, and associated conditions. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews with purposively selected participants to explore perceptions and barriers related to mouthguard use. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, while qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. A total of 280 participants (mean age 14.78 ± 1.48 years) were included in the study. The prevalence of ODT was 28.9%, with uncomplicated crown fractures being the most common injury. A statistically significant association was observed between gender and ODT prevalence (p = 0.006), with higher prevalence among males. Mouthguard use was reported by only 10.4% of participants, and none used custom-fabricated devices. Although most participants reported less than significant impact on oral health-related quality of life, 11.1% demonstrated significant or highly significant impact. Qualitative findings revealed that discomfort, breathing difficulty, communication barriers, and limited professional guidance influenced mouthguard non-use. ODT prevalence among adolescent contact sportspersons in this North Indian setting is considerable, while preventive practices such as mouthguard use remain low. Strategies promoting accessible, well-fitted protective devices and increased collaboration between dental professionals, coaches, and sports organizations may help reduce sports-related dental injuries.
The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy and inter-account consistency of two Google Gemini-powered, user-facing workflows for dental trauma decision support: standalone Gemini chat and NotebookLM, a document-grounded workflow that generates responses grounded in uploaded European Society of Endodontology and International Association of Dental Traumatology guideline documents, when answering dichotomous (yes/no) clinical questions on the management of traumatized permanent teeth. A cross-sectional simulation was conducted using 99 dichotomous (yes/no) questions derived from the European Society of Endodontology and International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines. Three academic endodontists submitted each question to Gemini and NotebookLM using three independent Google accounts, generating 297 responses per workflow. Accuracy was defined as exact agreement with guideline-based answers, and consistency as the proportion of identical responses across the three trials. Statistical analyses included Wald and Wilson 95% confidence intervals, Fleiss' kappa for inter-account agreement, and Pearson's chi-squared tests to compare proportions. Gemini demonstrated an overall accuracy of 83.83% (95% CI: 75.08-90.47) and a consistency of 74.74% (κ = 0.84). NotebookLM showed higher accuracy (92.93%; 95% CI: 85.97-97.11) and perfect consistency (100%; κ = 1.00). While the difference in accuracy did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.076), NotebookLM exhibited significantly greater consistency (p < 0.001). The responses generated from the guidelines were highly consistent with both workflows. Document grounding may enhance repeatability and alignment with guideline-derived decision points for structured dichotomous inquiries, as evidenced by NotebookLM's ability to achieve complete inter-account consistency and to quantitatively increase accuracy. These results are the outcome of workflow-level benchmarking; therefore, clinical utility cannot be inferred solely from them; professional oversight and additional validation remain necessary before any clinical application.