Sport-related permanent tooth avulsion as an underrecognized injury: knowledge and preparedness of medical students

Sport-related injuries remain a significant challenge in sports medicine. Dental trauma, particularly permanent tooth avulsion, remains an underrecognized injury in physically active populations. The study aimed to assess medical students’ awareness, theoretical knowledge, and practical skills regarding the prevention and emergency management of permanent tooth avulsion, with particular emphasis on the potential application of these competencies in sport-related settings. Materials and methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 291 medical students. A validated questionnaire was used to assess their understanding of primary prevention, theoretical knowledge, and practical skills. Results Awareness of mouthguard use as a preventive measure was high and increased with the year of study (mean score 4.31/5; p = 0.0002). In contrast, practical performance was limited, with 17.9%, 25.3%, and 25.0% of practical questions answered correctly by fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-year students, respectively. The association between theoretical knowledge and practical skills was negligible and not statistically significant. Conclusions Medical students demonstrated limited preparedness for the emergency management of permanent tooth avulsion, particularly regarding secondary prevention and the practical application of knowledge. The findings suggest that medical students require enhanced education on the emergency management of permanent tooth avulsion, particularly in the practical application of their knowledge. Simulation-based and scenario-driven methods may serve as effective educational strategies, although their efficacy requires assessment in future interventional studies.