Assessing Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Twin Block Functional Therapy for Angle's Class II Malocclusion Among Postgraduate Students of Pediatric Dentistry in India: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

CONTEXT: Functional appliances such as Twin Block (TB) play a key role in managing Class II malocclusion during growth. However, limited data exist on pediatric dentists' knowledge and clinical use of this therapy in India.

AIMS: This study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of Indian postgraduate students in pediatric dentistry regarding Twin Block functional therapy (TBFT) for treating Class II malocclusion.

SETTINGS AND

DESIGN

This was a questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study conducted among postgraduate students across India in March 2023.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire developed through standard methods. The questionnaire assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practical experiences related to Twin Block therapy.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: A total of 135 postgraduate students from various dental institutions across India participated. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and assessment of questionnaire reliability using Cohen's kappa during pilot testing.

RESULTS

The study revealed that knowledge of Twin Block therapy varied significantly with academic year, with second- and third-year students demonstrating increasingly better understanding. Only 11.8% (16 individuals) of respondents had adequate knowledge, while 62.2% (84 individuals) had average knowledge. Positive attitudes toward the therapy were noted among 78.5% (106 individuals) of participants, but only 47.4% (64 individuals) had treated Class II malocclusion cases. Challenges in patient compliance were reported by 88.2% (57 individuals) of respondents. A preference for part-time wear during meals was observed, differing from the recommended full-time use.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings highlight a gap between knowledge and practical application of Twin Block therapy among Indian pediatric dentistry postgraduates. There is a need for a more structured curriculum and increased clinical exposure to enhance competency in using functional appliances.