A new survey instrument: a sample of a typical TMD practice

The study evaluated 646 patients treated in a full time TMD practice with a new survey tool based on a patient self-report questionnaire. It would appear that this new approach to practice evaluation has not been previously reported in the literature. The results indicate that the average patient has a significant time delay of 24 to 120 months from onset of symptoms to the beginning therapy and that the majority of patients see three or more practitioners before reaching the TMD therapist. Most significantly, there are strong indications that early intervention and persistent compliance with prescribed therapy produces the highest level of success. Valuable practice statistics regarding patient treatments, patient outcomes and modalities of therapy have proven intensely useful in managing the patients, educating the public, communicating with the referral base, as well as in negotiating participation agreements with managed care institutions.