Skip to content

For general practitioners

The patients for whom “nothing was found anywhere”

You see them first and you see them longest. And you are the only ones who know the whole history – which is why your assessment is the most valuable we can get.

You know these patients

People with multiple complaints and a long history of suffering. Many unremarkable work-ups, often already on analgesics or psychotropic drugs. The jaw has rarely been examined along the way – not through negligence, but because it is not part of any standard work-up.

The connection

What has been measured

  1. 01Measured / described

    It is not a marginal finding

    The pooled TMD prevalence is around 29.5 %, around 36.7 % in women and around 26.7 % in men – assessed according to DC/TMD or RDC/TMD criteria. In an average practice this is not an exception but a regular occurrence.

  2. 02Measured / described

    It can be screened in two minutes

    A short self-report screening identifies pain-related CMD with a sensitivity of about 0.85 and a specificity of about 0.80. It can be delegated and needs no device. Interpretation remains with the physician.

  3. 03Measured / described

    There is a time criterion instead of a gut feeling

    The guideline recommendation is: referral to secondary care in case of unclear diagnosis or persistence beyond three months despite conservative first-line treatment. This is a criterion that can be documented.

  4. 04Where the evidence ends

    Where the evidence ends

    Prevalence does not mean cause. Having CMD does not automatically explain a person’s other complaints – the aetiology is considered multifactorial and biopsychosocial. We check whether a functional component is present, and we tell you if there is none.

Indication

When a referral is worthwhile

First, and without exception: red flags and unclear findings belong in specialist work-up, before any functional diagnostics. The CMD perspective complements, it does not replace.

Worthwhile

  • Multiple unexplained complaints without findings, especially with jaw, neck or sleep signs
  • Persistence beyond three months despite guideline-based first-line treatment
  • Positive short screening
  • Before escalating drug therapy

Not worthwhile

  • With unresolved red flags – specialist work-up comes first
  • As a replacement for GP-led care; that stays with you

Your patient remains yours.

After the assessment or after regulation is complete, we always refer back to you. We only provide further treatment at your explicit written request.

Next steps

Three routes – your choice

  • 01

    I want to know more

    The full-text sources, our measurement protocols and the clinical explanatory model with its level of evidence disclosed.

    Request documents
  • 02

    I have a question about a case

    Call-back from the CMD specialist, not from reception.

    Ask a question
  • 03

    I would like to refer

    By phone, email or letter – whatever suits you. The findings report comes back to you.

    Referral

Other specialties

To the overview