Document Type
Working Paper
Publication Date
Spring 3-22-2024
Abstract
Background:
This review focuses on the wicked problem of inadequate management and diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in the Canadian pediatric populations. The lack of standardized TMD diagnostic criteria, relevant research, and insufficient clinician and patient education exacerbates this challenge. This literature review presents the relevant information available for TMD diagnostic criteria and management, clinician and patient TMD education, and sociodemographic factors that affect TMD in children and adolescents.
Methods:
Articles published between January 1st, 2001, and November 6th, 2023, in PubMed and Cochrane were analyzed and a total of 39 papers were selected and included in this literature review.
Results:
Several studies suggest the need for validated and reliable diagnostic criteria for TMD in children and adolescents since current screening and diagnosis methods are unreliable, ungeneralizable, and contradictory. Reported prevalence of pediatric TMD in literature varied from 5.1% to 68%, along with contradiction regarding the impact of sex differences. Additionally, the global literature highlights disparities in TMD education for both clinicians and patients, which results in ineffective TMD management. Necessity of early age diagnosis and management are also evident in literature analyzing the impact of sociodemographic and psychological factors on TMD.
Conclusion:
Tackling the interdisciplinary problem of TMD in pediatric populations through development of a validated and standardized global diagnostic criteria, improving professional and patient education, and conducting thorough research are crucial steps toward ensuring the effective management and diagnosis of TMD, ultimately promoting the overall well-being of pediatric populations.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Included in
Diagnosis Commons, Health Communication Commons, Musculoskeletal System Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons, Stomatognathic System Commons
Notes
This paper was a year-long Capstone project of the Musculoskeletal Group of the 2023-2024 Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (MSc) program. This research was presented to the students and participating supervisors at the end of the program.