Title
Awareness and knowledge of impression techniques for cleft lip and palate among dentists: A cross-sectional survey
Authors
D Vidhyadhar1, Tejosmita Chowdary Pavuluri2, Vivek Anne3, S.S. Hanuraj Kumar Lankalapalli4, Vivek Buddha5, Gona Maheshwar Reddy6 & Naseemoon Shaik7*
Affiliation
1Department of Dentistry, Kamareddy Government Medical College, Kamareddy, Telangana, India; 2Department of Biomedical Science, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey, USA; 3Department of Epidemiology, Laramie Pediatrics & Internal Medicine pc, Wyoming, USA; 4Department of Prosthodontics & Crown and Bridge, Lenora Institute of Dental Sciences, Rajanagaram, Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh, India; 5Orofacial pain specialist, Family Dental of Virginia, USA; 6Department of Prosthodontics & Crown and Bridge, Sri Balaji Dental College and Hospital, Moinabad, Telangana, India; 7Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, MNR Dental College and Hospital, Sangareddy, Telangana, India; *Corresponding author
D Vidhyadhar - E-mail: vidyadharmds@gmail.com
Tejosmita Chowdary Pavuluri - E-mail: tjteju.chowdary@gmail.com
Vivek Anne - E-mail: vivekanne999@gmail.com
S.S.L Hanuraj Kumar - E-mail: hanuraj174@gmail.com
Vivek Buddha - E-mail: dr.vivekbuddha@gmail.com
Gona Mahwshwa Reddy - E-mail: Gona.Mahesh8@gmail.com
Naseemoon Shaik - E-mail: dr.naseemoonshaik@gmail.com
Article Type
Research Article
Date
Received August 1, 2025; Revised August 31, 2025; Accepted August 31, 2025, Published August 31, 2025
Abstract
Management of cleft lip and palate (CLP) requires precise impression techniques, yet the awareness and application of these methods among general dental practitioners in India remain underexplored. In this cross-sectional survey of 380 dentists using a validated 18-item questionnaire, 64% were familiar with conventional approaches, but only 20% knew of digital techniques. Urban practitioners showed significantly higher knowledge scores than rural counterparts (72 ± 9 vs. 61 ± 11; p<0.01), while just 30% felt confident using digital methods. Lack of training (70%) and limited access to equipment (58%) were the main barriers and only half recognized procedural risks such as compromised neonatal nasal breathing. These findings reveal substantial knowledge gaps, underscoring the need for targeted educational initiatives to enhance CLP management skills.
Keywords
Cleft lip and palate, impression techniques, general dentists, digital, survey
Citation
Vidhyadhar et al. Bioinformation 21(8): 2518-2522 (2025)
Edited by
Akshaya Ojha
ISSN
0973-2063
Publisher
License
This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
