Outcome of Screening Questions for Temporomandibular Disorders and Related Treatment in Adult Patients Attending the Public Dental Service.

Background: Approximately 30% of the adult population experiences symptoms under the concept of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). To identify patients with TMD who may require further evaluation, three screening questions (3Q/TMD) have been introduced.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of self-reported TMD and the amount of treatment received by patients in the Public Dental Service in Stockholm and how many were referred to an orofacial pain specialist.

Methods: Health declarations from 402 012 patients 18 and older were included. Answers to the 3Q/TMD, gender, performed treatment, and referrals were extracted from the patients' records.

Result: The prevalence of affirmative answers to 3Q/TMD was 4.6% and higher in the 20-29 age group compared to the 60-69 group. Affirmative answers in general led to more treatment, and an affirmative answer to Q1 gave the highest probability of treatment (OR 5.13; 4.87, 5.41) with occlusal splint therapy being the most common. Age did not significantly predicting the amount of treatment (p = 0.05), although there was a tendency towards less treatment in older age groups. In total, 0.74% of the study population were referred to an orofacial pain specialist, with a higher probability of referral for those who answered affirmatively (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The prevalence of self-reported TMD among patients in the Public Dental Service aligns with findings from similar studies. Patients who answered affirmatively to one or more of the screening questions were more likely to receive treatment or a referral. The 3Q/TMD effectively identifies patients who may benefit from further evaluation and referral, although the rate of treatment remains low.