Dental Practitioners behaviour, perspective and treatment approach towards management of TMJ Disorders - An observational study

BackgroundTMJ disorders often involve a multidisciplinary approach, clear understanding is a must for the treatment of TMDs. This study aimed to assess the behaviour, perspective and treatment approach of Dental Practitioners towards the management of TMJ Disorders. This would help in developing the census about the knowledge level and attitude towards TMD among dental practitioners.MethodsA comprehensive cross-sectional investigation involving 1030 dentists was conducted through the implementation of a meticulously designed survey instrument created using Google Forms. The questionnaire contained 17 closed-ended questions with the ability to mark more than one option in a few questions. the first 5 questions (Q1-Q5) determined the behaviour of Dental practitioners when they initially face TMD patients, (Q6-Q8) were asked to determine the perspective regarding cause-effect relationship in TMD disorder,(Q10-Q17) determined the treatment approach of Dental practitioners. Dichotomic answers were compared using a binomial test and multiple answers were evaluated using a Clopper-Pearson test with significance set at p < 0.05.Results77.7% of participants reported that they receive potential TMD patients in their office most frequently found aetiology for the pain was occlusal discrepancy (48.5%) followed by trauma (39.8%). The most commonly referred specialities were maxillofacial surgery (57.3%) and Prosthodontics (29.1%). The majority of the Practitioners treated their TMD patients with occlusal splints.ConclusionThe management of TMJ disorders requires a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach. Practitioners clarified that TMD patients were mostly treated with conservative measures using occlusal splints. However, the dentist should have cooperative behaviour and a clear perspective for the proper management of TMDs.