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supervise the patient and often refer them to a specialist whether it’s sleep disorders, a physician, physiotherapist, psychologist or cognitive behavioural therapist. “Sometimes you will pick up structural jaw problems on the CBCT screen and there are some clear signs that come with training in TMJ disorders like you learn at Tufts that will enable you to identify a TMD issue that you are able to treat. “It is very rewarding to be able to do this and you will end up with a lot of happy patients and a lot of hugs by helping people with a major issue for them which they have been unable to solve without your intervention.” Tufts program director Dr Mayoor Patel who has become something of a luminary in the eld said TMJ disorders were a huge area of unmet need and that the statistics of those living with severe chronic pain and using drugs to treat it were “disturbing”. “ ere is a real need for dentists to do more screening of their patients which can be treated for TMD if you can identify the problem and know how to deal with it,” he said. “Sometimes it might manifest itself as clenching, grinding and not breathing properly at night. “ e eld of general dentistry often doesn’t know what to look for in the patient

which can in turn be causing muscular pain or headaches. e education pathway hasn’t focused on TMD, so you don’t get clinical experience in dealing with it. “Tufts has been at the forefront of those e orts and that is slowly changing, and some dental schools are now teaching students some aspects of TMD which is an area of dentistry that is becoming a specialty. “But the fact remains that dentists are seeing patients every day but are not recognising or curing the problems presenting themselves to them. It’s a case of ‘ignorance is bliss’ and they just x the problem that they see with their teeth and then the patients leave. “But dentists have the ability to really help their chronic pain patients, and just with a bit of a detailed history note taking may unveil the misery of su ering of their patients and a potential pathway to a cure which they can provide.” Tufts University which provides holistic training in various dental disciplines is also hosting a mini residency in Implant

dentistry from April to September 2024. is unique ve-month hybrid course combining in-person and online modules is aimed at dentists interested in incorporating dental implants in their practice or upskilling in implant technique with best practice tuition from leading experts. u For course dates and details, contact Tufts University at dentalCE@tufts.edu or visit the Tufts University website: www.dental.tufts.edu/CE

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