Management of temporomandibular disorders by Ministry of Public Health dentists in Central Thailand

Abstract

Very little is known about the ability of dentists to diagnose and treat temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). The aims of this study were to investigate whether dentists in Central Thailand diagnosed TMD subcategories before initiating treatment for TMDs and to explore the frequency of corresponding treatments. Methods: A questionnaire covering TMD management was developed and posted to all Ministry of Public Health dentists (n = 969) in Central Thailand. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: The respondents (n = 502) comprised 109 (21.7%) male and 393 (78.3%) female dentists between 23 and 59 years of age (mean age = 34.7 years). In the preceding year, 427 (85.1%) reported encountering patients with TMDs, 356 (70.9%) had treated patients who had TMDs and 176 (49.4%) had diagnosed TMD subcategories. Most respondents regularly treated patients by providing patient education and encouraging self-care. The respondents who did not diagnose subcategories primarily treated TMDs with pharmacotherapy and physical therapy; orthopaedic appliances and occlusal therapy were used less often. Respondents who diagnosed TMD subcategories did not often use orthopaedic appliances or occlusal therapy to treat muscle disorders. For the treatment of derangement disorders, respondents used fewer pharmacotherapy, physical therapy and occlusal therapy techniques. For the treatment of osteoarthritis, respondents used less physical therapy and fewer orthopaedic appliances. Conclusion: Most Ministry of Public Health dentists in the Central Thailand region encounter and treat patients with TMDs. Approximately 50% of the respondents diagnosed TMD subcategories before providing treatment for TMDs.