Primary Care Dentists To Help With Research On TMD In Youngsters
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- Published: Wednesday, 16 June 2021 07:39
- Written by Chris Tapper
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New research into youngsters with Temporomandibular Disorder is to be launched after grants were awarded by the British Society for Paediatric Dentistry and the Faculty of Dental Surgery, England.
Dr Julia Palmer of Newcastle Dental School intends working with primary care dentists and hospital-based specialists in order to develop a care pathway for young people suffering with TMD.
A pump-priming grant of over £5,000 will help kickstart Dr Palmer’s research into understanding the experience and needs of young people who suffer from TMD and jaw pain.
There is thought to be no current research into the condition as it affects adolescents, and young people suffering from TMD are managed in the same way as adults.
Dr Palmer said “This is very often a persistent problem which can come and go and can cause pain and discomfort throughout life. An adolescent focus to treatment of TMD should be developed.”
She believes that by helping young people understand the condition and how to manage it at an early age, dentists can prevent it becoming a lifelong chronic condition.
Since there has not been any qualitative research among under 18s the funding will help her set up focus groups comprised of patients to understand their concerns and needs.
Dr Palmer will also undertake qualitative research with dentists in primary and secondary care and devise a questionnaire to get a picture of how the condition is managed and whether prevalence is increasing.
Dr Palmer’s ultimate aim is to devise an intervention to help young people suffering from TMD for whom the condition might otherwise become a lifelong chronic ailment.
She has already undertaken an initial service evaluation which she is presenting to the International Association of Dental Research (IADR) meeting next month.
Dr Armaana Ahmad, of University College London’s Dental Institute received a grant of over £9,000 to help launch a feasibility study for genetic testing of children with the rare developmental condition, Type II Dentinogenesis Imperfecta.
Prominent BSPD member and Chair of the FDS Research Committee, Professor Helen Rodd commented “We were overwhelmed by the quality of the research proposals this year.”
“The two winning proposals from BSPD members were exceptional in terms of the benefit to patients. Both were ranked highly by five reviewers from different dental specialties.”
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