# Knowledge and attitudes of pediatric dentists regarding temporomandibular disorders

## TL;DR

This study evaluates pediatric dentists' knowledge and attitudes about diagnosing and managing temporomandibular disorders in children.

## Contribution

It provides new insights into the knowledge gaps and attitudes of pediatric dentists regarding TMD diagnosis and treatment.

## Key findings

- The mean correct response rate across four domains was 49.5%, indicating limited knowledge.
- The lowest accuracy was in the pathophysiological domain at 33%.
- Dentists showed positive attitudes but lacked awareness of their role in preventive education.

## Abstract

Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) encompass musculoskeletal
and neuromuscular conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ),
masticatory muscles and other associated structures. While all dentists,
regardless of their specialty, should possess a comprehensive understanding of
TMD diagnosis and treatment, there is a limited number of studies assessing the
knowledge and attitudes of pediatric dentists on this subject. The objective was
to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of pediatric dentists regarding the
diagnosis and management of TMD in pediatric patients. Methods: This
observational, analytical, cross-sectional study included 266 pediatric dentists
who completed a 41-item questionnaire. Of these, 35 items assessed knowledge,
while six evaluated attitudes. Descriptive statistics were analysed, and the
chi-square test was applied for comparisons, with statistical significance set at
p < 0.05. Results: The mean correct response rate across the
four assessed domains was 49.5%. The lowest accuracy was observed in the
pathophysiological domain (33%), followed by the psychophysiological domain
(50%), the psychiatric disorders domain (64.1%) and the chronic pain domain
(50.4%). Conclusions: Pediatric dentists exhibited limited knowledge of
TMD but expressed positive attitudes toward its diagnosis and treatment. Morever,
they demonstrated a lack of awareness regarding their role in preventive
education on this condition.