Effect of Structured Implementation of Screening and Diagnostics of Orofacial Pain and Jaw Function in General Dentistry

Sammanfattning: Abstract  Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the structured implementation of screening and diagnostics of orofacial pain and jaw function in the affiliated general dentistry clinics of FTV VGR. Furthermore, evaluate differences in treatment between patients with and without a dental care subscription.   Material and method: Data regarding TMD treatments (600-series treatments) performed every month were gathered from the affiliated clinics over a 24-month timespan stretching between 2019-2021. Each treatment code was divided into three categories, all patients, patients with dental care subscription and patients without a dental care subscription. Parametrical statistics were used to assess the change of each treatment code performed before compared to after the implementation of Brief DC/TMD. The student's paired t-test was used and a probability level of P<0.05 was considered significant.    Results: The proportion of patients that received treatments and number of treatments performed saw a significant increase after the implementation project. Each specific treatment within the 600-series increased except for 604 (soft occlusalt splint) and 607 (occlusal adjustment) which decreased. Among the three treatments that increased, two were significant: 601, hard acrylic maxillary occlusal splint and 606, jaw exercises. Patients with a dental care subscription received TMD-treatment in a significantly higher degree.    Conclusion: The present study indicates that the implementation of Brief DC/TMD increased diagnostics and treatment of TMD within the general dentistry practice of Folktandvården Västra Götaland during the analysed time periods. Further research is needed to determine the cause behind the performance disparities among the individual clinics.