Philip M. Moody

Stress-pain relationship in MPD syndrome patients and non-MPD syndrome patients

1 ff’lt o e ective y reat myofascial pain-dysfunction (MPD) syndrome, it is important to understand its etiology. Malocclusion’-” and psychologic traits’.’ have been identified as causal factors. The present study will focus on the MPD syndrome patient’s stress perception and relationship of this perception to pain assessment. Such information should be of use to dentists and other health professionals who treat MPD patients. Laskin,” for example, indicates the importance of psychophysiologic theory in the treatment of MPD syndrome. He reported that, “Initiating factors for the MPD syndrome are generally emotional, rather than physical, (and) treatment must be directed toward this aspect of the problem. . . ” syndrome patients were classified by a psychiatrist as neurotic. The remaining six patients were either psychotic or healthy. These authors note that the number of patients was too small to provide statistical evidence for clusters of these findings.

Evaluation of Occlusal Splint Therapy

AbstractOcclusal splints have been widely used in dentistry for treating craniomandibular disorders, yet the precise effect that splints have on symptoms is still undetermined. When the available research evidence is closely scrutinized it is found to be weak and generally unsupported. Most studies are lacking in sound research design and often draw conclusions that are unsubstantiated. Recognizing these weaknesses, this article proposes a research design that will effectively evaluate treatment effects through rigid, well-controlled, and accurately documented experimentation. Using this research design clinically may be a difficult task. However, incorporation of one or more of the suggested parameters will help to strengthen any research proposal.

The relationships of quantified human smoking behavior and demographic variables.

Abstract This study, based on a sample (N = 517) of adult medical patients at a Southeastern Medical Center who were current users of cigarettes, reports the quantified aspects of smoking behavior and their relationship to sex, race, age, education, income and socioeconomic status of these patients. Patients from lower socioeconomic groupings had a greater number of puffs, shorter intervals between puffs, larger puff duration, shorter cigarette butts, and more daily tar and nicotine intake than the subjects from upper socioeconomic groupings. Males and older patients had longer puff duration, greater puff volume and more daily tar and nicotine intake than their counterparts. Implications of this and related studies upon the development of a social policy toward smoking and health are discussed.

Identification of patients at risk for unnecessary or excessive TMJ surgery

Musculoskeletal pain in the head and neck may be associated with a variety of psychological and psychiatric conditions. Therefore, patients with persistent temporomandibular (TMJ) and masticatory muscle complaints must also be evaluated for affective disorders. Identification of patients at risk for unnecessary or excessive TMJ surgery is enhanced when the surgeon is aware of a pattern of persistent pain and illness insistence that characterizes these patients. This article presents a list of characteristics that may identify a patient with an undiagnosed affective disorder who may be exposed to unnecessary treatment.

Dentists and the oral health behavior of patients: A sociological perspective

Dentistry has long had an interest in the prevention of oral pathology, but without remarkable effect and without widespread professional consensus as to how this interest is to be implemented. Much hinges upon how well dentists can enlist the cooperation of patients to maintain primary and secondary levels of preventive oral health behavior. Primary prevention in dentistry seeks to maintain peoples sound oral health. Forms of primary prevention include community w a t e r fluoridation at the collective level and dental flossing, brushing, and avoidance of cariogenic foods practiced on an individual basis. In contrast, secondary prevention seeks to reverse or confine oral pathology through the use of dental services, as patients themselves cannot perform their own secondary prevention. This dental care can be strategic because the dentist is in a paramount position to influence the patients efforts in primary prevention. Dr. Ayer has raised the question of whether the role of motivating people to engage in preventive activities is an appropriate one for the dentist. Until such time as the oral health-care delivery system changes, it will be necessary to promote oral health within its present confines. It becomes a challenge for the dentist, therefore, to attempt to affect and motivate patients to assume responsibility for maintaining and improving their oral health, since any oral health behaviors which prevent or retard the loss of teeth are valuable and worthy of promotion.

Quantified human smoking behavior among various disease categories

The present study reports the various quantified aspects of smoking behavior among patients (N = 244) with seven primary diagnostic categories; namely, neoplasms, endocrine, blood, circulation, respiratory, digestive, and GU. The study results indicate that patients with neoplasms and respiratory patients had longer puff durations than those in the other diagnostic categories. Patients with circulatory problems took longer to smoke a cigarette than patients with other diseases. Furthermore, patients with neoplasms tended to have higher tar delivery per cigarette than patients with other diseases. Finally, endocrine patients had the highest level of nicotine delivery per cigarette, with neoplasms and respiratory patients at the lowest level. These findings suggest a need for quantifying smoking behavior among patients of different disease categories in further studies.