A survey of dentists in the United States regarding a specialty in craniofacial pain.

In an effort to explore whether a specialty for craniofacial pain is warranted, the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain (AACP) commissioned an opinion survey of dentists. The survey population (N=4000) was stratified by specialty, so that dentists in affected areas would be adequately represented: 500 orthodontists and dentofacial orthopedists, 500 oral and maxillofacial surgeons, 500 periodontists, 500 prosthodontists, and 2,000 general practitioners. A total of 930 dentists responded for a 23.2% response rate. The survey had multiple purposes: 1. to measure the percentage of craniofacial pain patients perceived in dental patient populations; 2. to determine whether each dentist prefers to treat the disorder or; 3. prefers to refer craniofacial pain patients to clinicians specializing in the disorder; and 4. whether dentists favor/oppose the formation of a craniofacial pain specialty. The respondents' perception of the prevalence of craniofacial pain among their patients was 13.9%. A majority of the responding dentists, 54.7%, are in favor of a craniofacial pain specialty. Overall, 65% of dentists treat craniofacial pain patients, although more than half, 55%, of all dentists also refer such patients. Even 43.6% of dentists who regularly treat craniofacial pain favor a specialty, while 76% of those who do not treat such patients favor the specialty. The data presented here advocate development of a dental specialty in craniofacial pain.