CDA Essentials 2018 • Volume 5 • Issue 8

18 | 2018 | Issue 8 N ews and E vents ToothSOS Mobile app to help people respond to dental trauma emergencies The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) developed and launched ToothSOS, a mobile app that provides information for patients and dental professionals about how to prevent and how to respond to a dental trauma. “The IADT created the ToothSOS app because we know that dental trauma is, in many cases, an emergency situation. But many people struggle with understanding what to do, when to do it, and where to go when it occurs,” says Dr. Cohenca. “These situations aren’t likely to be something that people are prepared for, but we know that it is crucial to act quickly, in the first few minutes after an event.” “We also know that those crucial first few minutes can affect the future health of that tooth and could be the difference between a relatively simple procedure, versus a complex therapy with many years of adverse consequences,” adds Dr. Levin. “Because we know that teeth do not regenerate, if we lose that tooth, then it’s for life. But if we can save the tooth on the spot, we can save that patient years of treatment.” This free app, designed primarily for members of the public, is divided into two main sections: “ I Have a Tooth Injury ” (for emergencies) and “ How to Prevent Dental Injuries ” (for preventive best practices). Within the emergency section, there are many photos and images to serve as a reference point for the public. “People can relate to pictures of what a tooth may look like after a traumatic event,” notes Dr. Cohenca. “The content in this section is also written in lay terms—for example, we don’t use the word avulsion, instead we say, ‘a knocked-out tooth.’ We also provide easy to follow instructions about the steps people should take immediately after an accident,” he adds. IADT ToothSOS Mobile App Professor Nestor Cohenca, IADT president and professor at Seattle Children’s Hospital and University of Washington and Dr. Liran Levin, IADT secretary and professor and head of the division of periodontology at the University of Alberta, spoke to CDA about the app. Visit Oasis Discussions for a walk through the app. wp.me/p2Lv6A-5Wa