Care network for individuals with temporomandibular disorders in the Brazilian Unified Health System: Perspective of managers and dental surgeons.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the care network for individuals with orofacial pain (OFP) and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS).

METHODS

Oral health managers and primary health care (PHC) dentists completed electronic questionnaires addressing service availability, clinical practices, knowledge-related items, and referral services for TMD and OFP. Data were statistically analyzed at a significance level of 5% (p < .05).

RESULTS

Most managers reported that neither PHC (n = 82; 85.4%) nor secondary care (n = 68; 70.8%) treats patients with TMD. Most dentists reported not treating TMD patients (n = 209; 56.3%) and being unaware of public referral services (n = 268; 72.2%). Dentists' responses differed from evidence-based recommendations on TMD etiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Specialist status was associated with more evidence-consistent responses, particularly regarding traditional occlusal concepts.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest challenges in organizing TMD/OFP care within SUS, particularly regarding service availability, alignment of dentists' responses with current evidence, and awareness of referral pathways.