Treatment of temporomandibular disorders – knowledge, attitudes and clinical experience among general practising dentists in Sweden

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the self-perceived level of knowledge, attitudes and clinical experience in treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) among general practising dentists (GPDs). Material and methods: A web-based questionnaire was sent to all GPDs in the public dental health service in the County of Uppsala in 2010 (n ¼ 128) and 2014 (n ¼ 113). The GPDs were asked to answer questions in the following categories: Demographic information, Quality assurance, Clinical experience and treatment, Need for specialist resources in the field of TMD and Attitudes. Between the two questionnaires, the GPDs were offered TMD education and an examination template including three TMD questions was introduced in the computer case files. The results were also compared with a previous questionnaire from 2001. Results: The response rate was 71% (2010) and 73% (2014). The majority of the GPDs were women (70% in 2010 and 72% in 2014). The reported frequency of taking a case history of facial pain and headache increased between 2010 and 2014. In 2014, the GPDs were more secure and reported higher frequency of good clinical routines in treatment with jaw exercises and pharmacological intervention compared to 2001. Interocclusal appliance was the treatment with which most dentists felt confident and reported good clinical routines. Conclusions: The GPDs felt more insecure concerning TMD diagnostics, therapy decisions and treatment in children/adolescents compared to adults. There is a high need for orofacial pain/TMD specialists and a majority of the GPDs wants the specialists to offer continuing education in TMD.ARTICLE HISTORY

Knowledge About Chronic Orofacial Pain Among General Dentists of Kermanshah, Iran

“…The response rate was 81% which is considerable compared to similar studies which reported response rate of 53% to 86% [22, 27, 28]. The current study showed that knowledge of general dentists, approximately half of the dentists (48.2%), about chronic orofacial pain was good and others had moderate (50.6%) or weak (1.2%) knowledge level.…”

Patients' perceived treatment need owing to temporomandibular disorders and perceptions of related treatment in dentistry—A mixed‐method study

“…In our study, individuals reported an occlusal appliance most frequently among the treatment provided. This is in line with previous studies in Sweden and available statistics on TMD treatment charged for in Västerbotten and in Sweden . Interestingly, multimodal treatment strategies were provided for 16% of the 3Q‐positives thus indicating both ambition and awareness among the general practitioners of the importance of an individualised approach in TMD treatment.…”

Decision‐making in dentistry related to temporomandibular disorders: a 5‐yr follow‐up study

“…The reasons for providing treatment free of charge may be related to uncertainty in TMD management, which leaves the clinician in doubt of the benefits of the suggested treatment rather than the fee system itself. Taken together, the previously suggested need of continuing education on TMD in general dental practitioners seems to prevail .…”

“…The possible influence of the dental‐fee system on the provision of TMD treatment has been debated, and it has been suggested that the under‐treatment of TMDs could be related, in part, to the type of fee system . The fee system in Sweden was changed in 2014 and now allows for more specific fees for additional types of TMD treatments (e.g.…”