Knowledge of Risk Factors and Preventive Measures for Traumatic Dental Injuries among In-School Adolescents in Ondo West Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) can produce lasting functional, aesthetic, psychological, and social effects in adolescents.A descriptive cross-sectional survey involved 97 adolescents selected through proportionate stratified sampling. Data were collected with the Knowledge of Risk Factors and Preventive Measures for Traumatic Dental Injuries Questionnaire (KRFPMTDIQ; Cronbach's alpha = .75) and analysed in IBM SPSS Statistics version 26 using frequencies, percentages, and chi-square tests at the .05 level. Respondents demonstrated strong recognition of common risk factors, although knowledge patterns varied by age and gender. Risk-factor knowledge was significantly associated with age (chi-square = 23.61, df = 3, p < .001) and gender (Yates-corrected chi-square = 28.51, df = 1, p < .001). Preventive-measure responses varied across age groups. The available aggregate dataset did not report preventive-measure frequencies by gender; therefore, no unsupported gender-specific preventive comparison was made. The Ondo State Ministry of Education, school authorities, and oral-health professionals should implement age-responsive school oral-health education and ensure that future monitoring captures gender-disaggregated preventive knowledge to correct identified gaps and strengthen preventive behaviour among adolescents.