AWARENESS OF DENTAL CONSULTANTS ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY MANAGEMENT OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DISORDERS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52442/rjhs.v3i2.126Keywords:
Awareness, Dentists, Physical Therapy Specialty, Temporomandibular Joint DisordersAbstract
Introduction: Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) refer to a wide variety of conditions affecting various tissues of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) complex which can produce orofacial pain and functional disturbances. A variety of treatment choices are available for the management of TMJ problems. However, little is known in Pakistani dental consultants and therefore, this study was design to determine awareness among dental consultants of Pakistan about the role of physiotherapy management in patients with TMDs disorders.
Material & Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was carried out on dental consultants between May 2019 and February 2020. One hundred and seventy-six practicing oral and maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists and prosthodontists were recruited in the study through convenience sampling from all over Pakistan. A self-structured questionnaire, after conducting a pilot study and incorporating the recommended changes, was distributed to dental consultants by hand, through e-mails and social media.
Results: One hundred and twenty-one dental consultants (68.75%) were found aware about PT management of patients with TMDs. The referral of TMDs patients to PT was reported by only 18.75% of the participants. Maximum referral to PT was done by oral and maxillofacial surgeons (10.23%), followed by prosthodontists (6.25%) and orthodontists (2.27%). After participating in this survey, 72.16% of the dental consultants were found interested to refer their TMDs patients to PT and 91.48% showed their interest to learn more about their collaboration with physiotherapists.
Conclusion: Dental consultants of Pakistan were found aware about the treatment of patients with TMDs by a physiotherapist. However, most of them were not referring their TMDs patients to PT. This study increased the level of awareness among dental consultants about the role of PT in the management of patients with TMDs.
