The latest issue of the Primary Dental Journal, on the topic of ‘Temporomandibular disorders’ (TMDs), is now available online.
This TMD themed issue of the PDJ has been compiled by Guest Editor Dr Ziad Al-Ani, a Senior Lecturer and Senior Recognised-Excellence-in-Teaching Fellow at the University of Glasgow Dental School. A published author, Dr Al-Ani holds a PhD in temporomandibular disorders and occlusion from the University of Manchester, and subsequently became a Clinical Teacher in Restorative Dentistry and Research Co-ordinator for the TMD Clinic at Manchester, before joining the team at Glasgow.
TMDs are one of the most prevalent conditions encountered in dental practice, with a wide array of symptoms that often extend beyond the temporomandibular joint (TMJ); they therefore remain among the most challenging to treat. This issue of the journal brings together a range of papers from writers with years of expertise in their fields, to elucidate some of this complexity and to support our patients in general dental practice.
Topics include the anatomy of TMJ sounds; TMDs and sleep medicine; splint therapy; orthodontics; and myofunctional therapy; as well as practical discussion on guidelines and checklists to use in practice. Across the range of papers, invaluable knowledge on when – and when not – to treat, as well as where inter-disciplinary collaboration can empower our practice, is provided. The issue also includes an insightful personal reflection on the treatment of TMDs and how this has transformed across the span of a 40-year career. A full list of papers can be found under ‘Issue Contents’ below.
The papers in this PDJ explore the effective management of TMD conditions – which can be wide and varied – with key recommendations that management must be carefully underpinned by conservative, patient-centred strategies, and often supported by a collaborative approach. Dr Al-Ani explains his goal for the issue:
“It is hoped that this themed issue will provide clinicians with both clarity and confidence, bridging the gap between evolving evidence and everyday clinical practice, and supporting a more consistent, holistic approach to the management of temporomandibular disorders.”
This issue also includes the first in a series of articles charting the history of the College, an outline of the latest Pathway to College Fellowship for various career stages, and a brand new section of updates aimed at supporting early careers practitioners.
Full online access to the majority of articles in this and previous issues is reserved for College of General Dentistry members and Primary Dental Journal subscribers, who can expect their printed copies to arrive shortly. New joiners wishing to receive a copy of this issue can let us know by emailing [email protected]
For non-members / non-subscribers, at least one paper in each issue is made available online free of charge, with all other articles available by becoming a member or by purchasing them individually via the links below.
An annual print subscription to the PDJ is included with membership of the College, which also includes online access to over 1,500 current and past articles in the PDJ Library and a range of other benefits.
On behalf of the College, the PDJ editorial team would like to express its gratitude to all the authors and peer reviewers who have contributed to this issue.
ISSUE CONTENTS:
- Temporomandibular Disorders: The Great Shift – From Gnathology to Neurobiology by PDJ Editor-in-Chief, Igor R. Blum
- Temporomandibular disorders: From complexity to clarity in primary dental care by issue Guest Editor, Ziad Al-Ani
- President’s update by Roshni Karia
- College News & Perspectives and Events
- Research Abstracts: TMDs by Ario Santini
- College History: The history of the College of General Dentistry: the formation of the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners by Edgar Gordon, Ario Santini, & Nairn H.F. Wilson
- Fellowship Domains: Pathway to Fellowship
- The anatomy and clinical relevance of TMJ sounds by Ziad Al-Ani & Greg Wilkie
- Diagnosis and management of temporomandibular disorders: a personal clinical experience by Stephen Davies
- Brief Diagnostic Criteria for temporomandibular disorders (bDC/TMD): simplifying examination and diagnosis for primary care by Emma Beecroft
- Temporomandibular disorders and sleep medicine: implications for dental practice by Riaz Yar, Aditi Desai, Lukas Lassmann
- “Nothing about us without us”: co-production of and ‘How To’ implement a Biopsychosocial Supported Self-management intervention for TMD by Vishal. R. Aggarwal, Agata Witkowska, Karina Lovell
- Using the Trismus Checklist to identify potential malignancy by Charles Crawford
- Orthodontics and temporomandibular disorders: a comprehensive review by Mohammed Almuzian, Ali Ouazzani
- Integrating myofunctional therapy, TMJ massage and procedural hypnosis in the conservative management of TMD by John Duthie, Yulli Tamayo-Myerson, Tracey Kiernan
- Splint therapy in the management of temporomandibular disorders: an overview, by Ziad Al-Ani, Aiham Al Owaidat, Ammar Arab
CGDent members can view full articles by logging in via the yellow button below, then clicking ‘Access the PDJ Library’:
The next issue of the journal, which is a double issue, “General dentistry”, is due out in Summer 2026.
