title: The feasibility of a clinical trial of pain related to temporomandibular muscle and joint disorders: the results of a survey from the Collaboration on Networked Dental and Oral Research dental practice-based research networks.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The authors conducted a survey to characterize the strategies used by general dentists to manage pain related to temporomandibular muscle and joint disorders (TMJDs) and to assess the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to determine the effectiveness of these strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dentists from three dental practice-based research networks (PBRNs) (The Dental Practice-Based Research Network, Practitioners Engaged in Applied Research and Learning Network and Northwest Practice-based REsearch Collaborative in Evidence-based DENTistry) agreed to participate in this survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 862 dentists surveyed, 654 were general dentists who treated TMJDs; among these, 80.3 percent stated they would participate in a future RCT. Dentists treated an average of three patients with TMJD-related pain per month. Splints or mouthguards (97.6 percent), self-care (85.9 percent) and over-the-counter or prescribed medications (84.6 percent) were the treatments most frequently used. The treatments dentists preferred to compare in an RCT were splint or mouthguard therapy (35.8 percent), self-care (27.4 percent) and medication (17.0 percent).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most general dentists treat TMJD-related pain, and initial reversible care typically is provided. It is feasible to conduct an RCT in a dental PBRN to assess the effectiveness of splint or mouthguard therapy, self-care or medication for the initial management of painful TMJD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is an opportunity to do an RCT in a dental PBRN, which could lead to the development of evidence-based treatment guidelines for the initial treatment of TMJD-related pain by primary care dentists.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Community Studies, Department of Dentistry, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Canada. ana.velly@mcgill.ca
authors.forename: Ana M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Velly
authors.forename: Eric L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Schiffman
authors.forename: D Brad
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Rindal
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cunha-Cruz
authors.forename: Gregg H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: Maryann
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Horowitz
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fricton
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D018865:Dental Research; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006261:Headache / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009064:Mouth Protectors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017090:Occlusal Splints / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011320:Primary Health Care; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012537:Scandinavian and Nordic Countries; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D013706:Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D055553:Prescription Drugs