A survey on German dentists regarding the management of craniomandibular disorders.

Abstract

The purpose of the present investigation was to identify the most frequent therapies and, in particular, the prescription patterns for occlusal splints for the management of craniomandibular disorders (CMDs) used by German general dentists and specialists. Additionally, the knowledge and opinion of the practising dentists were examined. All active members of the statutory dental insurance providers of the German North Rhine (n = 5,500) and the Westphalia-Lippe area (n = 4,984) were surveyed with a questionnaire by mail. Results indicated that occlusal splints were the first-choice therapy followed by physiotherapy and occlusal equilibration. In the preceding year, both general dentists and specialists made 30 occlusal splints on average. With regard to high-quality evidence-based recommendations, some statistically significant discrepancies between general dentists and specialists were detected. On the basis of the present data, it seems useful to consider intensifying the topic of CMDs and orofacial pain in future undergraduate dental curricula and in postgraduate training.

• Authors: Michelle Alicia Ommerborn, Carolin Kollmann, Jörg Handschel, Rita Antonia Depprich, Hermann Lang, Wolfgang Hans-Michael Raab
• Journal: Clinical oral investigations (Clin Oral Investig) Vol. 14 Issue 2 Pg. 137-44 (Apr 2010) ISSN: 1436-3771 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 19440738 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Attitude of Health Personnel
• Craniomandibular Disorders (therapy)
• Dental Prosthesis Design (statistics & numerical data)
• Dentists
• Education, Dental
• Evidence-Based Dentistry
• Female
• General Practice, Dental (statistics & numerical data)
• Germany
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Occlusal Adjustment (statistics & numerical data)
• Occlusal Splints (statistics & numerical data)
• Physical Therapy Modalities (statistics & numerical data)
• Prescriptions (statistics & numerical data)
• Referral and Consultation (statistics & numerical data)
• Relaxation Therapy (statistics & numerical data)
• Specialties, Dental (statistics & numerical data)
• Surveys and Questionnaires