Dental Practitioners’ Opinions and Methods in the Management of Oral Mucosal Lesions and TMJ Disorders in Dakshina Kannada District: A Questionnaire Based Survey

INTRODUCTION: Oral mucosal lesions and temperomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are important areas of concern in the present dental practice due to their increasing prevalence. Timely management is important as it aids in maximal prognosis.AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine the awareness of dental practitioners in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, regarding various aspects of oral mucosal lesions and TMJ disorders. And also to know their interest in managing such disorders.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A self- administered questionnaire was constructed and given to dental practitioners, selected through multistage cluster random sampling method; from Dakshina Kannada district. Chi-square test was performed and the level of significance was set at p < 0.05.RESULTS: The majority of dental practitioners had a dental practice of duration five to ten years. Many of the respondents (72%) indicated that oral ulcers are the most common mucosal lesions and prescribed topical anaesthetics for these. The investigations suggested were blood investigations (24%) for various oral mucosal lesions and radiographs (20%) for TMJ disorders. Different pharmacological treatments provided by the majority of the respondents were topical anaesthetics and multi vitamin supplements. About 34% dental practitioners routinely refer the patients to specialty practitioners.CONCLUSION: The present study shows that there should be emphasis on workshops and various other awareness programs for general dental practitioners for better understanding of the subject and about the latest protocols regarding referral of the patients to specialists