Prevalence vs. incidence of the mandibular pain dysfunction syndrome: implications for epidemiological research

Conclusions about the aetiology and maintenance of the Mandibular Pain Dysfunction Syndrome (MPDS) are largely based on clinic populations, but there are indications that sufferers who seek help about their symptoms are not typical of the general population of sufferers. This raises important problems in extrapolating findings from the patient population to the general one. This paper argues that future epidemiological studies should take the various influences on the decision to seek advice into account so that conclusions about MPDS can be reached. Specific additions to research designs are noted.