Dental practitioners’ knowledge, management practices, and attitudes toward collaboration in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders: a mixed-methods study

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) are a variety of conditions that affect different parts of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and can cause orofacial pain and functional impairment. This study aims to investigate dental practitioners’ knowledge and management of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMDs), particularly their knowledge of the role physical therapy plays in TMD treatment. A mixed-methods approach was adopted to provide a comprehensive view of current knowledge, management practices, and attitudes toward collaboration among dental practitioners in treating TMD. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 335 dentists in Karachi using a detailed questionnaire to assess their knowledge of the role of physical therapy in the treatment of TMD. Twenty dentists were chosen for face-to-face, in-depth interviews to explore their experiences and challenges in managing TMDs based on their responses to the administered questionnaire. The cumulative quantitative and qualitative findings of the study revealed a landscape marked by individualized approaches to referral practices and significant gaps in interdisciplinary collaboration. Most practitioners holding a bachelor’s degree predominantly used medication (65.2%) and cause-specific treatment (65.3%) for TMD treatment. Thematic analysis of clinical efficacy and practitioner challenges in managing TMD revealed significant issues faced by dental professionals. The study successfully validated a questionnaire to understand dental practitioners’ knowledge regarding physical therapy in TMD treatment. The study identified significant gaps in knowledge and a lack of collaboration between dentists and physiotherapists. The limited referral practices highlighted in the study, along with insights from dentist interviews, emphasize the need for improved interdisciplinary approaches to managing TMDs within dental practice.