Sir, I read with interest the recent case report in the BDJ entitled ‘Incorrect re-implantation following avulsion'.1
The author mentions the importance of appropriate assessment and attention to detail particularly in high stress situations, with the aim being to maximise the chances of successful outcomes.1
One such method to utilise, which has an evidence base, is clinical decision support tools (CDSTs). This is of particular importance since it is not always specialists who happen to attend cases of dental trauma on their first presentation.
There is evidence in the literature to support the fact that CDSTs aid in improving the diagnosis as well as management of dental trauma by expert paediatric dentists and novice clinicians/dental as well as medical students.2,3
These CDSTs may be utilised in different forms such as a print version or mobile app version.2,3 Adopting a pathway for decision making in traumatic dental injury scenarios, the utilisation of CDSTs may assist in enhancing outcomes.
The ToothSOS app created by the IADT is free to download on the Apple App Store (iOS) and is meant to provide information to both professionals and patients. It includes information for dental practitioners on treatment guidelines as well as that on prevention and emergency management of dental injuries.4
References
Radia S. Incorrect re-implantation following avulsion. Br Dent J 2024; 236: 187.
Machado J P, Lam X T, Chen J W. Use of a clinical decision support tool for the management of traumatic dental injuries in the primary dentition by novice and expert clinicians. Dent Traumatol 2018; 34: 120-128.
Huh A J H, Chen J W, Bakland L, Goodacre C. Comparison of different clinical decision support tools in aiding dental and medical professionals in managing primary dentition traumatic injuries. Pediatr Emerg Care 2022; doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000002409.
Khehra A, Cohenca N, Cehreli Z C, Levin L. The International Association of Dental Traumatology ToothSOS mobile app: A 2-year report. Dent Traumatol 2021; 37: 145-150.
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Sahni, V. CDSTs for traumatic dental injuries. Br Dent J 236, 426 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-024-7242-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-024-7242-x