• Samuel F Dworkin, Kimberly H Huggins, Leanne Wilson, Lloyd Mancl, Judith Turner, Donna Massoth, Linda LeResche, and Edmond Truelove.
• Washington State Dental Foundation, University of Washington, Departments of Oral Medicine and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Box 356370, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. dworkin@u.washington.edu
• J Orofac Pain. 2002 Jan 1;16(1):48-63.

AimsTo carry out a randomized clinical trial (RCT) contrasting usual conservative treatment of TMD by clinical TMD specialists with a structured self-care intervention, targeted to clinic cases independent of TMD physical diagnosis, who were reporting minimal levels of psychosocial dysfunction; the intervention was delivered by dental hygienists in lieu of usual treatment.MethodsThe Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) was used to target subjects who exhibited minimal TMD-related psychosocial interference. Criteria for study inclusion were: (1) self-report of facial and/or masticatory muscle pain discomfort for which usual care was prescribed by the clinic TMD specialist; (2) RDC/TMD Axis II graded scale of chronic pain (GCP) score of 0, I, or II-Low. (3) Age 18 to 70 years.ResultsOn 1-year follow-up, while both groups showed improvement in all clinical and self-report categories measured, patients in the tailored self-care treatment program compared to usual TMD treatment showed significantly; (a) decreased TMD pain, (b) decreased pain-related interference in activity; (c) reduced number of masticatory muscles painful; (d) fewer additional visits for TMD treatment. Groups were comparable with regard to measures of vertical range of motion. The self-care program was associated with consistent, but non-statistically significant, trends towards lower levels of depression and somatization. Ability to cope with TMD, knowledge concerning TMD and patient satisfaction was significantly enhanced for the self-care group. No participating patients experienced physical or personal adverse effects during the 1-year post-treatment follow-up period.ConclusionUse of RDC/TMD psychosocial assessment criteria can contribute to successful clinical decision-making for the management of TMD.

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