Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42073022›Full record

ArticleChildren (Basel, Switzerland)2026

Orthodontists' Perceived Knowledge, Confidence, and Clinical Practices in Pediatric Temporomandibular Disorders.

Thomas Southern, Linda Sangalli, Calli A Marando, Caroline M Sawicki

Abstract read
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Article in Children (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Thomas SouthernAdams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
Linda SangalliCollege of Dental Medicine-Illinois, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-1386-5594
Calli A MarandoDepartment of Orthodontics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.ORCID 0009-0000-5191-4169
Caroline M SawickiDepartment of Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-9295-9849

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesTemporomandibular disorders (TMD) are common in pediatric patients, yet limited data exist on orthodontists' knowledge, confidence, and clinical practices related to pediatric TMD. This cross-sectional study aimed to characterize orthodontists' perceived knowledge, confidence, training, and practice patterns, and examine associations between routine screening behaviors and perceived confidence.

methodsA 34-item anonymous survey was distributed to orthodontists and orthodontic residents enrolled in or graduated from U.S. Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)-accredited programs. The survey assessed perceived knowledge, confidence in screening, diagnosis, and management of pediatric TMD, adequacy of residency training (on 0-10 numerical rating scale), frequency of routine TMD screening and examination practices, and referral patterns. Respondents were compared in study outcomes according to years of clinical practice with ANOVA. Respondents were categorized according to frequency of TMD screening (always/some of the time vs. sometimes/never) and compared in study outcomes using independent

resultsOut of 83 respondents, perceived knowledge (56.8 ± 26.9), confidence with screening (62.0 ± 30.5), diagnosis (59.4 ± 29.8), and management (50.8 ± 30.9) of pediatric TMD were moderate. Less than half of respondents (45.8%) reported routinely screening pediatric patients using standardized screening questions. Orthodontists who reported routine screening demonstrated significantly greater perceived knowledge and confidence in screening, diagnosis, and management compared with those who screened less frequently (all

conclusionsVariability exists in orthodontists' perceived knowledge, confidence, and clinical practices regarding pediatric TMD. Routine screening was associated with greater perceived competence. These findings highlight potential alignment between structured screening behaviors and self-reported confidence and may inform educational strategies in orthodontic training.

Indexed as

orthodontistspediatrictemporomandibular disorders

Identifiers

PMID42073022
PMCPMC13115295

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