Preface , Pain of the oral and maxillofacial structures encompasses aspects of general dental practice as well as medical and dental specialties. Pain has been considered a “fifth vital sign” and is a common presenting complaint among dental patients. Orofacial pain is a too prevalent and often debilitating condition with significant economic and social sequelae. In fact, the World Health Organization underscores the importance of pain and defines “oral health” as a “state of being free from chronic mouth and facial pain…” Oral health care providers are often involved in the prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of orofacial pain disorders. These disorders may have pain and associated symptoms arising from a discrete identifiable cause, such as postoperative pain or pain associated with a malignancy, or may be part of syndromes in which pain constitutes the primary problem, such as temporomandibular disorder pain, neuropathic pain, or headaches. The diagnosis of orofacial pain relies on interpretation of historical data; review of laboratory studies, imaging, behavioral, social, and occupational assessments; interview and examination by the clinician. Appropriate treatment of patients is dependent on an astute, knowledgeable, and dedicated clinician able to synthesize information from history and comprehensive clinical examination, to develop an accurate diagnosis, and to implement a treatment plan consistent with the standards of care based on currently available scientific literature. , http://bit.ly/14BYxAI

Preface , Pain of the oral and maxillofacial structures encompasses aspects of general dental practice as well as medical and dental specialties. Pain has been considered a “fifth vital sign” and is a common presenting complaint among dental patients. Orofacial pain is a too prevalent and often debilitating condition with significant economic and social sequelae. In fact, the World Health Organization underscores the importance of pain and defines “oral health” as a “state of being free from chronic mouth and facial pain…” Oral health care providers are often involved in the prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of orofacial pain disorders. These disorders may have pain and associated symptoms arising from a discrete identifiable cause, such as postoperative pain or pain associated with a malignancy, or may be part of syndromes in which pain constitutes the primary problem, such as temporomandibular disorder pain, neuropathic pain, or headaches. The diagnosis of orofacial pain relies on interpretation of historical data; review of laboratory studies, imaging, behavioral, social, and occupational assessments; interview and examination by the clinician. Appropriate treatment of patients is dependent on an astute, knowledgeable, and dedicated clinician able to synthesize information from history and comprehensive clinical examination, to develop an accurate diagnosis, and to implement a treatment plan consistent with the standards of care based on currently available scientific literature. , http://bit.ly/14BYxAI , via Dental Teach " Daily Dental Info " http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=624455854245634&set=a.624455437579009.1073741869.110664842291407&type=1