The study included a survey of 266 pediatric dentists affiliated with AMOP, who were surveyed regarding their knowledge and attitudes about TMD. The sample size is comparable to that used in other studies employing the same instrument in various countries.
In this study, the results for the four domains assessing pediatric dentists' knowledge of TMD demonstrated an average correct response rate of 49.5%. In a similar vein, Le Resche et al. in 1993 [13] reported comparable outcomes in their research of 386 general and specialist dentists. These findings suggest that there is a dearth of comprehension regarding the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of TMD, particularly within the pathophysiological and psychophysiological domains.
The domain with the lowest score in this study was the pathophysiological domain, with a mere 33.1% of responses correctly identified. Similarly, Lee et al. (2000) [4] and Al-Huraishi et al. (2020) [8] found that the pathophysiological domain exhibited the greatest deficiency among general dentists. A cross-sectional study conducted in Brazil by Tormes et al. (2023) [10] also identified deficiencies in the knowledge of dental practitioners regarding the relationship between occlusion and TMD. Xiong et al. (2023) [11] evaluated the participants’ knowledge and found a lack of training, understanding, and confidence regarding TMD management.
Inadequate training and erroneous assumption among pediatric dentists that they possess sufficient knowledge of TMD may be pivotal factors contributing to the low correct response rate in the pathophysiological domain. The level of competence in this area can vary considerably depending on the educational methods employed at the university level. Methods that incorporate more clinical practice tend to enhance knowledge acquisition compared to traditional methods [8].
In the item regarding the potential of orthopedic or orthodontic treatment to prevent the onset of TMD, only 10.5% of respondents indicated agreement with the expert panel. The relationship between orthodontic treatment and TMD remains a topic of contention in the scientific community. According to a systematic review by Fernández-González et al. (2015) [14] revealed an absence of evidence indicating a causal relationship between orthodontic treatment and TMD, as well as an inability to ascertain whether such treatment can improve or prevent them.
Furthermore, nearly 90% of respondents concurred that the presence of arthritic changes in tomographies, in conjunction with crepitus in the joint, signifies the necessity for treatment. This response is not aligned with the prevailing expert opinion or the existing literature on the subject. Crepitus is a common finding in patients with degenerative joint disease of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ), yet it is not a mandatory criterion for treatment [15].
A survey of pediatric dentists revealed that approximately 30% of respondents felt that the responsibility for providing preventive education did not fall within the scope of their professional duties. Some pediatric dentists may perceive their professional role as limited to traditional dental problems and not extend to complex conditions like TMD, which may require a transdisciplinary approach. Such a perception may result in a diminished interest in providing preventive education on the subject [16].
The integration of education on TMD and orofacial pain into undergraduate and postgraduate dental programs is generally inadequate, resulting in a lack of knowledge and skills in this area among graduating students [12].
The majority of pediatric dentists (55%) exhibited a favorable disposition toward addressing TMD in children and adolescents. However, they demonstrated limited awareness of their potential role in preventive education for parents and children. This may be attributable to deficiencies in their capacity to accurately diagnose and treat TMD as well as a dearth of confidence in the efficacy of preventive education and treatment modalities beyond therapies.
Since 2001, studies conducted by Tegelberg et al. (2016) [3] to Xiong et al. in 2023 [11] have underscored the critical necessity for specialized training in TMD and the formulation of protocols for referring patients or consulting with specialists. Indeed, only 19.9% of respondents in the present study indicated that they had referred patients for this type of consultation. It is plausible that a considerable number of pediatric dentists may not fully recognize the severity or complexity of TMD in pediatric patients, which could potentially result in an underestimation of the necessity for specialist referrals. TMD cases in children are frequently regarded as less severe or transient [17].
This present study was limited by the representativeness of the sample, as the respondents were exclusively AMOP-affiliated pediatric dentists. Nevertheless, the utilized instrument is the most commonly employed globally, facilitating the comparison of findings with those documented in existing literature.