Presentation Category
Research
Introduction/Context/Diagnosis
Many dentists receive little to no training in the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), despite the high prevalence of patients with these conditions. Currently, there exists a decision tree diagnostic tool to guide clinicians through the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders; however, there is a need for a more accessible and user friendly diagnostic tool. We designed a new, checklist-style diagnostic tool with these goals in mind, and in this study, we compared the use of our new tool with the use of the pre-existing decision tree tool.
Methods/Treatment Plan
We developed a checklist-format diagnostic tool utilizing the same Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders as an existing diagnostic tool. The experimental tool and the control tool were tested in a randomized crossover-controlled, double blinded study in which dental students, interns, and residents from the United States and Japan diagnosed hypothetical patients with temporomandibular disorders using both tools.
Results/Outcome
When compared to the existing decision tree tool, the utilization of the new checklist diagnostic tool resulted in significantly more correct diagnoses and fewer missed diagnoses for complex cases, all in significantly less time. For simpler cases, the utilization of the new tool was comparable to that of the existing tool.
Significance/Conclusions
This new, checklist-style diagnostic tool provides an alternate user interface to aid clinicians in the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders. This tool has the potential to help clinicians more quickly and accurately diagnose temporomandibular disorders in complex patients.
Format
Event
Assessment of a New Diagnostic Tool in the Diagnosis of Temporomandibular Disorders
Many dentists receive little to no training in the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), despite the high prevalence of patients with these conditions. Currently, there exists a decision tree diagnostic tool to guide clinicians through the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders; however, there is a need for a more accessible and user friendly diagnostic tool. We designed a new, checklist-style diagnostic tool with these goals in mind, and in this study, we compared the use of our new tool with the use of the pre-existing decision tree tool.
Comments/Acknowledgements
I would like to acknowledge Dr. Andrew Young for his work designing and executing this study, as well as our collaborators: Jack Ryan BS, Atsushi Kamimoto DDS, PhDd, Olga A. Korczeniewska PhDe, Mythili Kalladka, BDS, MSDf, Junad Khan BDS, MSD, MPH, PhDg, Noboru Noma DDS, PhDf.