Treatment of patients with temporomandibular joint and other facial pain by otolaryngologists.

By virtue of referral patterns, the otolaryngologist is in a position to be of considerable influence in the treatment of numerous patients with facial pain. In a facial pain clinic, the 525 consecutive patients seen could be classified into groups: myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome (52.9%); degenerative arthritis of the temporomandibular joints (16.6%); trigeminal neuralgia (15.3%); and a variety of other pain syndromes (15.2%). The most frequent types of health professionals contacted were, in decreasing order, dentists, general medical practitioners, otolaryngologists, and neurologists. The greatest number of consultations with all physicians resulted in either no treatment or referral. This was most common among otolaryngologists, and least among dentists and neurologists. Specific treatment, when provided, varied by specialty.