The effect of public or private management on patients with temporomandibular joint pain dysfunction

Australians may receive free dental treatment via the public sector if they have a health care card but otherwise must seek treatment via the private sector. These two modes of dental delivery have different objectives, facilities, and patient populations. Two groups of patients, one public and one private, who presented to the same clinicians with temporomandibular joint dysfunction were studied. There were differences in age, numbers of natural teeth and some psychological features. However, the outcome to simple non-surgical management resulted in similar levels of successful treatment.