ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to evaluate the interest of dentists for TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorders). For this purposes prepared form was filled out by 119 dentists from Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa, and Zonguldak. This form included questions about the views of the dentists about temporomandibular disorders, the diagnosis and treatment of TMD, the role of the dentists for the treatment of TMD and the levels of their education about TMD. The results were statistically evaluated with the use of chi-square test. 68.64 percent of the dentists were interested in TMD. 75.42 percent of the group used diagnostic techniques of TMJ such as palpation, intraoral observation, functional diagnosis and films. The dentist frequently sent the TMD cases to university clinics and hoped to cooperate with a group of specialists. Finally, the result of this study showed that the dentists were not satisfied with their education of TMD and wanted to improve their levels of knowledge with special courses and conferences.