A Proposal to Introduce Dental Trauma into Medical Education: An Insight

THE PROBLEM: This proposal aims to tackle the common poor management of traumatic dental injury (TDI) by medical doctors and subsequent poor healthcare outcomes for patients. The literature reports that most medical doctors, in either private practice or hospital emergency departments, lack the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to adequately assess and manage victims of TDI. This is due to little or no clinical dentistry and dental trauma education being included in their medical studies. THE GAP IN THE LITERATURE: From a review of the literature, there is a clear lack of learning provision for medical students on the topic of dental anatomy and trauma. In addition, there appears to be no formal university theoretical and clinical training during medical school. THE PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The introduction of dental trauma into the medical curriculum will provide students with a better understanding of the importance of early management for better patient outcomes. Medical doctors competent in managing emergency dental trauma procedures will be able to provide a higher standard of care that could prevent potentially lifelong negative repercussions for the patient.