Abstract
Background: 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.
Aims: 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.
Methods: 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.
Results: 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.
Conclusion: 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.