The Detection and Management of Temporomandibular Disorders in Primary Dental Care
Course Number: 395
Patient History
A very brief screening questionnaire, such as the one below can help the clinician determine if a patient has a potential TMD problem. 7This questionnaire can help identify dental patients who are at risk of aggravating their pre-existing pain from dental treatment.8
Table 2. TMD Screening Questionnaire.
- In the last 30 days, on average, how long did you have any pain in your jaw or temple on either side last?
- No pain
- From very brief to more than a week, but it does stop
- Continuous
- In the last 30 days, have you had pain or stiffness in your jaw on awakening?
- No
- Yes
- In the last 30 days, did the following activities change any pain (that is, make it better or make it worse) in your jaw or temple area on either side?
- Chewing hard or tough food
- No
- Yes
- Opening your mouth or moving your jaw forward or to the side
- No
- Yes
- Jaw habits such as holding teeth together, clenching, grinding or chewing gum
- No
- Yes
- Other jaw activities such as talking, kissing or yawning
- No
- Yes
- Chewing hard or tough food
This brief screening questionnaire includes an assessment of pain, morning stiffness/pain, and whether specific jaw activities change the pain. Positive responses may warrant additional questions. There are numerous questions and questionnaires that have been recommended to elicit the TMD symptom history; they vary from brief to lengthy and many are available via the internet.