Mesaros Symposium and Rural Readiness

August 23, 2024
Erickson Alumni Center
Morgantown, WV

Course Description: Diagnostics in Temporomandibular Joint Examination,
from Anatomy to Current Management Concepts
Dr. Eber Luis de Lima Stevao Steolo DDS, EdS, PhD
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/Dysfunctions (TMJD) are a diverse group of neuromusculoskeletal conditions involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) which is composed of several anatomical structures, and is continually associated with dental and osseous structures. The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, advocate that over 10 million North Americans are affected by some type of TMJ disease. However, population-based studies show that TMJD affects 10% - 15% of adults but only 5% seek treatment due to lack of information or accessibility to knowledgeable TMJ health providers. The etiology of TMJD conditions is continuously multifactorial including: anatomical, biological, systemically/ genetically, social, environmental, iatrogenic, emotional and cognitive. Diagnosis is based on history and physical examination supported by intraoral and facial extraoral photos, dental models, radiography, computed tomography and appropriate cervicofacial imaging such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for comprehensive joint evaluation. TMJD is currently staged based on Wilkes Classification ranging from Class I to Class V and the treatment and multi-disciplinary therapies are performed accordingly.

Course Description: Rural Readiness
Valerie Perrine, DDS
According to the Commission on Dental Accreditation, WVU School of Dentistry is required to update the Rural Health faculty on the School of Dentistry protocols and student competencies and evaluate how the preceptors at all sites can incorporate these into their rotation experience to provide a sense of calibration and continuity to the student experience.