TMD diagnostics in transition

Many different opinion-based diagnostic reporting systems are used in German-speaking countries and internationally for the diagnostics of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) was developed and published in 1992 to enable standardized work in cross-disciplinary scientific research teams. This standard, which has in the meantime become internationally established in the field of TMD diagnostics, was subject to a thorough review in 2014 by an international team of scientists on the basis of a critical evaluation of the comprehensive study situation and the results of validation studies by an international team of scientists. Due to its simple and standardized examination techniques and validated diagnostic procedures, the resulting Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) is particularly well suited for use in daily practice. Using these criteria, the findings and diagnoses can be determined or formed according to scientific findings, and treatments can be performed in an evidence-based manner. The advantages and disadvantages of the DC/TMD are discussed in this article. In conclusion, this study protocol has all the prerequisites to form a unified standard of diagnostic findings country-wide in Germany. The great benefits of this include the valid and automatable generation of diagnoses and the inclusion of headache attributed to TMD. Keywords: diagnostic criteria, DC/TMD, clinical findings