A survey on German dentists regarding the management of craniomandibular disorders.
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.
Department of Operative and Preventive Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of Medicine, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstr. 5, Düsseldorf, Germany. Michelle.Ommerborn@uni-duesseldorf.de
Michelle Alicia
MA
Ommerborn
Carolin
C
Kollmann
Jörg
J
Handschel
Rita Antonia
RA
Depprich
Hermann
H
Lang
Wolfgang Hans-Michael
WH
Raab
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017271:Craniomandibular Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003815:Dentists; D004497:Education, Dental; D055094:Evidence-Based Dentistry; D005260:Female; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019558:Occlusal Adjustment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017090:Occlusal Splints / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055656:Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013039:Specialties, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires