Effect of a Clinical Decision Support Tool on Dental Trauma Management in Primary Teeth

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a clinical decision support tool in improving the efficiency and accuracy management of dental trauma to primary teeth.
Methods: A print and electronic version of a clinical decision support tool will be generated using recommendations from guidelines and dental literature. Subjects will be given a multiple-choice exam to assess prior dental trauma knowledge. Subjects will then be randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1. Control 2. Printed CDST 3. Electronic CDST. A second multiple-choice exam involving management of primary teeth dental trauma will then be administered. Time taken to complete the exam and responses will be record. A survey to determine the assessment of the aid they were given will also be given.
Results: A pilot study was conducted with a convience sample of 4 dentists was included in this study. The group given the printed version of the clinical support tool scored 100% in correctly diagnosing and treating the presented scenarios. The questionnaire was completed in a mean time of 9 min 32 seconds. The group without the clinical support tool scored 66.7% on the same questionnaire and took a mean time of 13 min 41 seconds to complete the questionnaire.
Conclusions: The group utilizing the clinical support tool scored higher and completed the questionnaires in less time. Although this pilot study has many limitations, the results demonstrate how a clinical support tool may improve the accuracy and speed in clinical decision-making. A more structured designed study is in the process so that further analysis can be done.