Triaging the Facial Pain Patient: The Non-Odontogenic Toothache
Triaging the Facial Pain Patient: The Non-Odontogenic Toothache is organized by Dentaltown, L.L.C.
Released: 1/23/2013
Review Date: 6/30/2022
Expiration Date: 6/30/2025
Overview:
The most common reason a patient will present to their physician or dentist for care is pain. As clinicians, one of the most difficult yet undervalued procedures we will perform is the diagnosis of the disease processes. 22% of the population has suffered from orofacial pain more than once in the past 6 months. In order to effectively treat the facial pain patient, a systematic approach to examination must be a part of the diagnostic process. The results of the examination must then be evaluated and weighted based on a comprehensive understanding of pain mechanisms.
This course will provide the clinician with an overview of pain definitions, classifications, and presentations commonly seen in the orofacial region. At the conclusion of this course, the clinician should feel comfortable with the diagnostic process necessary to adequately screen, treat or refer to this often misdiagnosed group of patients.
Educational Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to achieve the following:
• Be familiar with the classifications of pain
• Understand and recognize pain presentations in the orofacial region
• Utilize diagnostic procedures to better differentiate pain processes
• Understand referral patterns of pain in the stomatagnathic system
• Appropriately exam the pain patient