<Treatment for temporomandibular disorders using EBM> Navigating the clinical guidelines: A road map for beginners

Abstract

The "Primary Care Guideline for Temporomandibular Disorders" published by The Japanese Society for Temporomandibular Joint is the first guideline in Japan to adopt the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, and has been well received by both dental and medical experts.

In recent years GRADE has become regarded as a very reliable method for making clinical guidelines, and its use has become widespread globally.

However, as a practicing clinical dentist, when attempting to apply these guidelines in my daily work I sometimes cannot clearly understand "quality of evidence" and "strength of recommendation", both key categories in the guidelines.

To solve these questions, I participated in a workshop on clinical guidelines and also worked as a member of a committee putting together a new set of clinical guidelines from the ground up. Through hands-on experience in the guideline-making process I could clear up and further my understanding. As a fellow clinical dental practitioner, I hope to help my colleagues understand clinical guidelines better.