title: Survey of orthodontic residency programs: teaching about occlusion, temporomandibular joints, and temporomandibular disorders in postgraduate curricula.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Teaching orthodontic postgraduate students about occlusion and the temporomandibular joint is a fundamental component of their education, but faculty members are confronted with disputes and controversies about these topics. The purpose of this study was to ascertain where the orthodontic teaching community currently stands on the topics of occlusion, temporomandibular joint, and temporomandibular disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 46-question survey was sent to every orthodontic program director in the United States and Canada (n = 69). Responses were submitted by 46, and the results were tabulated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three interrelated topics (normal or ideal temporomandibular joint, normal or ideal occlusion, and management of temporomandibular disorder) are being taught in diverse ways in these postgraduate orthodontic programs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this survey will help us to understand and improve how these topics are being taught at accredited orthodontic programs in the United States and Canada. Perhaps a standardized curriculum can be developed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, MCG School of Dentistry, Augusta, GA, USA. jstockstill@mcg.edu
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stockstill
authors.forename: Charles S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.forename: Sanjivan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kandasamy
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rinchuse
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D016302:Centric Relation; D003479:Curriculum; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D004499:Education, Dental, Graduate; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D009970:Orthodontics / Q000193:education*; D013663:Teaching; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014481:United States