APPRAISING OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE AMONG DENTAL PRACTITIONERS REGARDING ROLE OF PHYSIOTHERAPY IN TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DISORDERS

OBJECTIVES The aim is to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of dental practitioners concerning physiotherapy management of Temporomandibular joint dysfunctions (TMDs.). METHOD 61 dentists were included from Tertiary, secondary and private dental clinics of Karachi, and the study design was cross sectional. RESULTS Prior to survey 45.9% of did not had knowledge about physical therapy management TMD. Maxillofacial surgeons and master's degree holders had more knowledge about physical therapy (PT) management. 45.9% dentists reported that PT is non-effective treatment approach. Lack of knowledge on dentist's behalf is the foremost cause of less referral to PT 88.5%. Jaw exercises were prescribed by 83.6% of dentists. In the end of the survey 52.5% dentists were reluctant to refer, 47.5% were maybe they will refer and 96.7% dentists were eager to gain more knowledge about the benefits of PT and collaborative treatment. CONCLUSIONS This study concluded that the dental practitioners of Karachi lack knowledge, attitude and practice regarding physiotherapy treatment of TMD. The benefits of multidisciplinary approach while treating TMDs were not very well known to dental practitioners and its benefits to patients. This study increased the knowledge of surveyed practitioners.