back to contentsTeam Approach for TMD Patients in Our Hospital,
Present Condition and Future Considerations
Shuichi NOMURA, Mitsunori MONYA, Shoji KOHNO,
Tsutomu NOMURA*1, Yoshioki HAMAMOTO*1, Ritsuo TAKAGI*2,
Masahiro SUZUKI*3, Hiroyuki YAMADA*4, Kazuhiro YAMADA*5,
Takafumi HAYASHI*6，Masayoshi HUKUSHIMA*7，Hideaki TAI*8，
Yo TAGUCHI*9，Kenji SEO*10
Polyclinic intensive oral care unit and Departments of
*1 1st Oral and maxillofacial surgery, *2 2nd Oral and maxillofacial surgery,
*3 1st Prosthetic dentistry, *4 2nd Prosthetic dentistry,
*5 Orthodontics, *6 Oral and maxillofacial radiology,
*7 1st Conservative dentistry, *8 2nd Conservative dentistry,
*9 Pedodontics, *10 Deental Anesthesia
Abstract:
A multidisciplinary approach for temporomandibular disorders has been recommended because different specialists can address various aspects of the problem, which enhances the overall potential for success. A treatment team in our hospital has been carried out since November 1993.
To organize the team into an effective system, it is important to have a common viewpoint on diagnosis and management, therefore communication between members of the team is essential. We have a monthly case presentation conference to discuss findings and preferred treatment approaches.
Also we can discuss with each other using a campus LAN (Local Area Network). Electronic mails using a mailing list provide a meeting without restriction on place and time for members of the team. At the same time, we have opened a home page at the WWW (World Wide Web) (http://www.dent.niigata-u.ac.jp/tmd/) to exchange information with general dental practitioners using the Internet.