Survey on Management of Trigeminal Neuralgia by Dental Professionals: A Questionnaire Based Study

Abstract Aims: Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) is a neurological disorder characterized by severe facial pain, often mistaken for dental conditions. This survey aims to understand how dental professionals approach the diagnosis, management, and referral practices related to TN. Objectives · To assess the awareness and knowledge of dental professionals regarding the diagnosis and management of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). · To evaluate the clinical approaches used by dental professionals in diagnosing TN and differentiating it from other orofacial pain conditions. · To analyze the treatment modalities preferred by dental professional. · To determine the challenges faced by dental professionals in diagnosing and managing TN in clinical practice. · To assess the need for further education and training among dental professionals regarding TN to improve patient outcomes. Methods: This cross-sectional study involves dentists who participate voluntarily through an online questionnaire. The questionnaire form contains demographic data, TN treatment, and diagnosis consisting of 15 questions. Results: The survey highlights data of 150 dental professionals. While 54.8% were familiar with TN, only 33.1% had diagnosed cases. Key symptoms included sharp facial pain (93.2%) and pain triggered by touch/chewing (71.6%). Diagnosis relied on history, examination, and imaging (85.1%), with 35.8% referring to neurologists. Management favored collaboration (47.6%), with Carbamazepine (82.2%) as the most known treatment. Challenges included inadequate training (61.4%) and diagnostic difficulty (51.7%). Most (72.8%) sought clinical guidelines, and 95.9% emphasized the dental role in TN, particularly in pain management (78.9%) and patient education (77.6%). Conclusion: The survey highlights the crucial role of dental professionals in identifying and referring trigeminal neuralgia but reveals gaps in knowledge and confidence. Improved education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and standardized guidelines are essential for better patient outcomes.