(384) Seeking Treatment for TMDs: What Patients Can Expect from Non-Dental Healthcare Providers

Abstract

The dental profession has long been the primary source for clinical management of patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). However, patients with a facial pain problem may seek diagnosis and/or treatment from other healthcare providers. These providers may be physicians or other doctoral-level practitioners, or they could be members of various allied groups such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, acupuncturists, etc. However, little has been written about what patients might experience if they seek out care on their own outside of the dental profession. Initially, we conducted web searches targeted at the official websites of non-dental health professions who might see a TMD patient – either from referral or from primary presentation. Using various search terms, we searched for statements or published articles indicating their professional interest in TMDs. A google search for the websites of private practitioners in each of the non-dental professions was then conducted to see if individual providers were advertising TMD management. Most of the official websites had little or no information about TMDs, but some members of every group surveyed were offering to treat TMD in their offices. The variety of treatments being offered went far beyond the boundaries of appropriate TMD management in the 21st century. These results are presented with a critical discussion of each concept or practice, and advice for patients to deal with this situation. Despite the generally negative findings, physical therapy emerged as the only ancillary health profession with standardized curriculum on TMJ/D and their management. Therefore, we advocate that when considering non-dental management dentists should refer only to physical therapists with specialized training in head and neck therapy. Furthermore, we emphasize primary referral to dentists with certified post-doctoral training in TMD/orofacial pain prior to considering non-dental options.