Pediatricians’ Knowledges, Attitudes, and Practices on Parafunctional Oral Habits and Orthodontic Problems in Children

Abstract

Objective: Treatment of dentofacial deformities via orthodontics can improve the health of the teeth and the gums and also numerous malpositioned teeth and jaws, and increase the quality of life in children affected by a malocclusion. The purpose of this research was to examine if pediatricians referred their patients to pediatric dentists, if they had sufficient knowledge and awareness in parafunctional habits and basic orthodontic principles, and if they examined their patients for parafunctional habits and malocclusions. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was sent to a sample of pediatricians in Turkey. The questionnaire consisted of 42 questions in five domains. A total of 166 pediatricians participated in the survey. Results: In terms of the examination of the oral cavity, a low frequency of examination for the malocclusion (28.9%) and oral functional habits (43.4%) was detected. The reasons pediatricians referred patients to dentists varied from over-bite (24%) to crowding (87%). In the Chi-Square Test for the effect of the location of practice, the duration of practice, training about parafunctional oral habits, and orthodontic problems, patients examined per day on knowledge, attitude, and practices of pediatricians regarding orthodontic problems and parafunctional oral habits in children, significant relations were detected (p