[Patients with orofacial pain: treatment or referral (and to whom)?].
The anatomical complexity of the head and neck region may cause difficulties in the diagnostic process and management of orofacial pain. The general dentist is expected to thoroughly use his specific areas of competence in the diagnosis and treatment of odontogenic, joint and muscle pain. The need to interact with and refer patients to dental or medical colleagues and specialists will especially occur in cases of diagnostic doubt, referred pain, neuropathic or neurogenic/neurovascular pain, and complex chronic pain in the orofacial region.
De Laatt
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Uit de School voor Tandheelkunde, Mondziekten en Kaakchirurgie van de Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, België. antoon.delaat@med.kuleuven.be
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003813:Dentistry / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D012017:Referral and Consultation