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

Abstract

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.