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. 2022 Dec;101(13):1549-1553.
doi: 10.1177/00220345221110443. Epub 2022 Jul 26.

The Global Need for Easy and Valid Assessment Tools for Orofacial Pain

F Lobbezoo  1 , G Aarab  1 , F P Kapos  2 , A F Dayo  3 , Z Huang  1 , M Koutris  1 , M A Peres  4   5 , M Thymi  1 , B Häggman-Henrikson  6
Affiliations

The Global Need for Easy and Valid Assessment Tools for Orofacial Pain

F Lobbezoo et al. J Dent Res. 2022 Dec.

Abstract

The World Health Organization recently adopted a historic resolution (WHA74.5) on the urgent need for global oral health improvement. This resolution is particularly relevant in the perspective of the high prevalence of untreated oral diseases. However, one important aspect has been mentioned only in passing, namely that poor oral health often leads to orofacial pain, which is the most common reason for emergency dental visits worldwide. Therefore, an evidence-based decision-making process on oral health should include data related to orofacial pain complaints. To that end, the availability of reliable and valid assessment tools of orofacial pain and related treatment outcomes is essential. INfORM (International Network for Orofacial Pain and Related Disorders Methodology) of the International Association for Dental Research has been one of the driving forces behind the development and implementation of comprehensive sets of tools for such assessments. However, as a prerequisite for the desired global implementation, reliable and valid tools that are also brief, easy to translate, and culturally adaptable need to be further developed and tested. Some of the groundwork to facilitate this process has already been carried out. In addition, a working group within INfORM has developed a short clinical assessment tool for orofacial pain diagnostics that is near completion and will soon be ready for dissemination. Ultimately, reliable and valid orofacial pain assessment is a necessary step toward the development and implementation of appropriate "best buy" interventions that address this major driver of need for oral health care worldwide.

Keywords: facial pain; global health; health equity; patient outcome assessment; reproducibility of results; temporomandibular joint disorders.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: F.L. received research grants from SomnoMed, Sunstar Suisse S.A., Vivisol-Resmed, Health Holland, and Airway Management, which are unrelated to this article. F.L. is an unsalaried member of the Academic Advisory Board of Sunstar Suisse S.A. for GrindCare. F.L. is past president of the International Network for Orofacial Pain and Related Disorders Methodology (INfORM) of the International Association for Dental Research. G.A. received research grants from SomnoMed, Sunstar Suisse S.A., Vivisol-Resmed, and Health Holland, which are unrelated to this article. F.P.K. received research grants from the American Academy of Orofacial Pain and the Scan|Design Foundation, which are unrelated to this article. F.P.K. is secretary/treasurer and cochair of the Early Career Researchers Committee of INfORM. M.K. is president of INfORM. M.A.P. is president of the Global Oral Health Inequalities Research Network of the International Association for Dental Research and a member of the Lancet Oral Health Commission. M.T. received research grants from Sunstar Suisse S.A. and Health Holland, which are unrelated to this article. BHH is the president-elect of INfORM.

Figures

Figure.
Figure.
Global map shows the world’s countries by economy: low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high income. The full and partial black dots and black circles represent the availability of local versions of the DC/TMD (Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders): full black dots represent finalized translated and culturally adapted local versions; partial dots, local versions that are currently being translated or reviewed; and black circles, countries where the source version (English language) can be applied. The blue circles indicate countries with ≥1 members of INfORM (International Network for Orofacial Pain and Related Disorders Methodology). Clearly, the lower the income level, the less likely that a local version of the DC/TMD is available.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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