Knowledge and Attitude Among Various Dental Specialities Regarding Nasoalveolar Molding Procedure in Cleft Patients-A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

Nasoalveolar molding (NAM) is a presurgical orthopedic procedure, mainly focusing upon the aesthetic outcome of the treatment goal by reducing the number of reconstructive surgeries performed later for the purpose of esthetics. It was reported a very small proportion of pediatric dentists are providing presurgical intervention and the practice of NAM still side stepping among various dental practitioners.

OBJECTIVES

The study was aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude among various dental specialties regarding NAM procedure in cleft patients.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey was carried out among 180 dental professionals (pedodontists, orthodontists, prosthodontists, oral surgeons). A total of 180 questionnaires were prepared, out of which 98 were filled through direct personal interview and 82 were circulated via Google forms. Results were analyzed using chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis test.

RESULTS

There was statistically significant difference in the cumulative knowledge scores between specialty with P < .001; 99% of the participants think one should opt for NAM before cleft lip and palate surgery and 39% participants prefer pedodontists to carry out NAM procedure.

CONCLUSION

Dental specialists in India have a positive attitude toward presurgical orthopedics. Majority of them agreed that there is great improvement in the aesthetic outcomes of surgeries after NAM intervention.