Abstract: PURPOSE: To analyze the knowledge level of tooth avulsion among parents of 12-year-old children in Shanghai. METHODS: By using equal-sized randomly sampling method, this study was carried out on the knowledge level about tooth avulsion of randomly selected 50 parents of children aged 12 years in six districts of Shanghai. 548 parents were involved for a questionnaire survey．Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 16.0 software package by chi-square test. RESULTS: 3.28% of the parents responded that their children had experienced tooth avulsion in the past. Immediate replantation of the avulsed tooth was suggested by 10.58% of the respondents. Only 6.75% would use milk as storage medium and 38.87% suggested that the avulsed tooth should be treated immediately. 87.96% had never received special education on dental trauma. CONCLUSIONS: Overall assessment of the parents showed a low level of knowledge regarding tooth avulsion. This study revealed the need for educational campaigns aimed at parents to increase their knowledge of the emergency procedures required when a tooth is avulsed.

Key words: Tooth avulsion, Dental trauma, children, cognition