Temporomandibular Dysfunction and Tinnitus the Knowledge of the Dental Surgeon in Primary Health Care

Abstract

A longitudinal study of quantitative nature applied through a structured and self-administered questionnaire. The purpose of the questionnaire was to verify the knowledge of the Primary Health Care Dentist (PHC) on the interrelationship between temporomandibular dysfunction and tinnitus after continuing education. The collected data (n=37) indicated insufficient knowledge with no significant statistical difference in knowledge or professional conduct. It is important to emphasize the importance of instructing and strengthening the knowledge of the PHC professional on the interrelationship between temporomandibular dysfunction and tinnitus. This may help minimize problems such as the professionals' lack of attention in the routine of care in changes that affect the patients' quality of life. Moreover, there is a need to sensitize managers to institute tools that subsidize the professional in this care with resoluteness.

The Short Form of the Fonseca Anamnestic Index for the Screening of Temporomandibular Disorders: Validity and Reliability in a Spanish-Speaking Population

“…Some authors have defended the need to address TMDs in primary care, enabling better results for patients and maintaining the skill level and experience of specialist services in secondary care [7]. However, TMDs usually present concomitantly with other very prevalent disorders such as tinnitus [8], headache [9], or neck pain [10], and consequently can go unnoticed with resultant delay in health care. Therefore, TMD screening is essential for correctly establishing personalized attention.…”