Current status of temporomandibular disorders education in U.S. predoctoral dental curricula: A nationwide survey

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Studies have highlighted variability and deficiencies in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) predoctoral education, with limited student clinical exposure. However, no research has examined changes following CODA inclusion of TMD instruction in predoctoral curricula. We investigated current scope, instructional modalities, and extent of TMD curricula in U.S. predoctoral dental programs. METHODS: survey was distributed in September-October 2024 to deans/associate deans of academic affairs at 72 CODA-accredited U.S. predoctoral dental schools, investigating TMD curricula, modalities, and extent. RESULTS: All 33 responding programs (53.2% response rate) included TMD instruction. Formal teaching accounted for 70.6±24.9% of instruction, while patient exposure constituted 22.5±21.0%. Programs dedicated 15.7±7.1 h on average (range 4-34) to TMD instruction . About 25.0% of programs had no board-certified orofacial pain (OFP) specialist on faculty. Instruction was mostly provided by OFP (75.8%), oral medicine specialists (36.4%), prosthodontists (30.3%), and oral surgeons (27.3%). Most programs (87.9%) treated TMD patients, yet 9.1% reported no student clinical exposure to these patients. In programs offering clinical exposure, patient interactions included direct evaluation and treatment (60.6%), rotations in OFP clinics (42.4%), observation (36.4%), or elective courses (3.0%). Management of OFP patients expanded to neuropathic pain (54.5%) and primary headache (33.3%), especially among programs with OFP specialists on faculty. CONCLUSIONS: TMD instruction varies widely across responding programs, but recent curricula have expanded instructional hours, broadened scope, and increased opportunities for patient interaction compared to previous reports.

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