Impacts of educational interventions on the knowledge of prevention and emergency management of traumatic dental injuries in 11–17-year-old martial arts athletes: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose We compared the effect of an educational pamphlet and a mobile application regarding prevention and emergency management of sport-related traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) on knowledge and self-reported preventive practice of 11–17-year-old Karate and Taekwondo athletes. Methods Participants were invited through an online link published by the Public Relations of the corresponding federations. They completed an anonymous questionnaire consisting of demographics, self-reported experience of TDIs, knowledge of emergency management of TDIs, self-reported preventive practice of TDIs, and the reason for not using mouthguard. The respondents were randomly allocated to pamphlet or mobile application group with the same content. Three months after the intervention, the questionnaire was completed by the athletes again. Repeated measures ANOVA and a linear regression model served for statistical analysis. Results In pamphlet group, 51 athletes and in mobile application group 57 athletes completed both baseline and follow-up questionnaires. At baseline, the mean score was 1.98 ± 1.20 and 1.82 ± 1.24 (out of 7) for the knowledge and 3.70 ± 1.64 and 3.33 ± 1.95 (out of 7) for practice in the pamphlet and application group, respectively. In 3-month follow-up, the mean score of knowledge and self-reported practice was significantly higher compared to baseline in both groups ( p < 0.001) with no statistically significant difference between the two groups ( p = 0.83 and p = 0.58, respectively). Most of the athletes were very satisfied or satisfied with both types of the educational intervention. Conclusion Both pamphlet and mobile application seem to be useful to improve awareness and practice regarding TDI prevention in adolescent athletes.