engleski

Croatian Dentists Awareness about Stabilization Splint Therapy

Stabilization splint is frequently used therapy for temporomandibular disorders and bruxism. Few data exist regarding dental practitioners’ behavior with stabilization splint therapy. The purpose of this study was to examine dental practitioners’ awareness about occlusal stabilization) splints. In this cross-sectional study, an online questionnaire was administered via e-mail to a dentists’ database (Croatian). Questionnaire consisted of 22 questions which aimed to specify Croatian dentists’ knowledge, attitudes and practice with occlusal and stabilization splints therapy. A total of 296 dentists filled out the questionnaire. Most frequent indications for occlusal splint therapy were bruxism (79.5%) and pain or disfunction of the temporomandibular joint (41%). Most of participants (49.4%) are using both soft and hard (acrylic) splints, 29.6% are using only acrylic splints, 15.8% are using only soft splints, while 5.3% is not certain about used occlusal splint material. Over 65% of participants responded that they do not know what is stabilization splint or that are not sufficiently informed about it. Still, 89.3% of participants recommend stabilization splints to their patients. Most frequent indication for occlusal splint therapy among Croatian dentist was bruxism. As most participants considered that they are insufficiently informed about stabilization splits there is a need for motivation and additional education about occlusal splint indications and therapy.

postgraduate dental education ; continuing education ; occlusal splint ; temporomandibular disorders ; bruxism

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