Knowledge, attitude, and practice on clear aligner therapy in mixed dentition among pediatric dentists of India: A cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND: Orthodontic treatment has long been associated with visible wires in the mouth. Clear aligners, once limited to mild crowding/spacing, are now supported for correcting more complex malocclusions. While Clear Aligner Therapy (CAT) is well established for permanent dentition, its application in mixed dentition remains under-researched. AIM: The aim of the study is to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of CAT in mixed dentition among pediatric dentists of India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 265 pediatric dental professionals. A structured, self-administered Google Forms questionnaire comprising 23 multiple-choice questions was disseminated electronically to pediatric dentists across India. It assessed demographic details, KAP regarding CAT in mixed dentition. Statistical analysis was implemented using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: A statistically significant association was observed in the attitude domain, where attitude differed significantly with gender ( P = 0.04) and experience ( P = 0.01), indicating that these factors may influence participants' attitudes. However, there was no significant association between knowledge and gender ( P = 0.08), experience ( P = 0.337), or practice ( P = 0.406). Similarly, practice showed no significant association with gender ( P = 0.867), experience ( P = 0.630), or practice ( P = 0.867). No significant association was noted between attitude and practice ( P = 0.07). Overall, gender and experience were found to have a significant effect only on attitude, whereas knowledge and practice remained unaffected by these variables. CONCLUSION: There exists a pronounced gap where positive attitudes and general knowledge have not yet translated into widespread clinical practice, and efforts to boost adoption should focus on addressing training and financial barriers.