[Oral kinesiology and the quality of life]. / Orale kinesiologie en levenskwaliteit.

In a comparative study, the influence of oral health on the quality of life was investigated for people with temporomandibular pain, people with tooth wear and people with complete dentures. To this end, the study made use of the Oral Health Impact Profile. Both the total score and the scores on 4 of the 7 domains of the Oral Health Impact Profile were significantly higher in the research group with temporomandibular pain than in the research groups with tooth wear and complete dentures. These results suggest that among people with temporomandibular pain the influence of oral health on the quality of life is more negative than among people with tooth wear and among people with complete dentures. This result can probably be linked with the general finding that patients with temporomandibular pain bear a relatively high psycho-social burden.

[Occupational differentiation in dentistry 2. From Brueghel's syndrome to a radiant smile. An advanced postgraduate programme in oral kinesiology]. / Beroepsdifferentiatie in de tandheelkunde 2. Van Bruegel-syndroom tot stralende glimlach--masterprogramma orale kinesiologie.

Oral movement disorders, jaw pain, and tooth wear are examples of clinical problems that are part of the dental discipline 'oral kinesiology'. About half of the advanced postgraduate programme in oral kinesiology involves the diagnosis, indication, and management of patients with one or more oral kinesiologic problems. The remaining time is available for thematic courses and a research project. The breadth of the programme will hopefully lead to improved care for patients whose treatment until now has been dispersed between various dental specialists. Successful candidates will obtain an advanced postgraduate diploma in Oral Kinesiology, and can also apply to be recognized as a gnathologist.

Oral kinesiology. A new postgraduate programme in the Netherlands.

As one of the dental differentiations in The Netherlands, temporomandibular disorders (TMD) focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of pain and dysfunction of the masticatory system. Bruxism (i.e. tooth clenching and/or grinding) is thought to play an important aetiological role in TMD. Among others, bruxism may result in TMD pain and dental attrition. The close relationship between TMD, bruxism, and attrition necessitates an integrated approach to these clinical problems. This could be achieved through the multidisciplinary differentiation 'oral kinesiology', that covers not only the diagnosis and treatment of TMD and bruxism but also the restoration of worn dentitions. This article focuses on the background of oral kinesiology, as well as on the rationale to develop a curriculum for the postgraduate training of dentist-kinesiologists in the Netherlands. Further, the oral kinesiology curriculum of the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam will be introduced. This curriculum will ensure that specialized professionals, who are able to approach the different aspects of oral kinesiology in an integrated manner, are available not only for general dental practice but also for centres for special dental care and university departments. This will lead to improved care for patients, whose management is until now dispersed between various dental specialists.

[Treatment of bruxism: physiotherapeutic approach]. / Behandeling van bruxisme: de fysiotherapeutische benadering.

Epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that there is a relationship between bruxism and pain in the orofacial region, and between bruxism and restricted mandibular movements. However, the exact nature of this relationship remains unclear. Therefore, up till now, the following working hypothesis is used: bruxism can lead to (chronic) pain complaints and restricted mandibular movements, when its intensity exceeds the adaptation capacity of the musculoskeletal structures. In that case, the aims of physical therapy treatment are twofold: to decrease symptoms, such as pain ('symptom therapy'), and to teach the patient to recognise and reduce the bruxism ('behavioral therapy'). Techniques used for symptom treatment are massage and stretching exercises. For the behavioral therapy exercises and myofeedback are often used.

[Role of the psychologist in the treatment of bruxism]. / De rol van de psycholoog bij de behandeling van bruxisme.

Although there is a controversy about the importance of psychological factors in the development, enhancement and perpetuation of bruxism and other parafunctional activities, the contribution of a psychologist in the treatment of the individual patient is recommended. This contribution consists of diagnostic examination and treatment, most often a short cognitive behavior modification therapy. Because bruxism is mostly examined and treated in relation to the complaints it might cause, especially CMD-complaints, diagnosis and treatment are mostly directed at both. For the diagnosis a questionnaire is used, including a psychological test, which is followed by one or more interviews. The treatment is directed at learning to recognize bruxism activities, to practice alternative behavior, and to learn to cope better with situations that may lead to an increase of bruxism.

The relationship between posture and curvature of the cervical spine.

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between posture and curvature of the cervical spine in healthy subjects. SUBJECTS: The study was composed of 54 healthy students (25 men and 29 women) aged 20-31 yr with a mean age of 24.7 yr. METHODS: Lateral radiographs were taken of the head and cervical spine of the subjects while standing in a neutral position. Cervical spine posture was quantified by the angle of a reference line, composed of reference points of the upper six cervical vertebrae, with the horizontal axis. The curvature of the cervical spine was classified visually as lordotic, straight or reversed. RESULTS: A relationship was found between posture and curvature of the cervical spine (p = .006); a more forward posture of the cervical spine was related to a partly reversed curvature; and a more upright posture was related to a lordotic curvature. Moreover, men more often exhibited a straight curvature, and women more often exhibited a partly reversed curvature. CONCLUSION: The curvature of the cervical spine is related to the subject's posture and gender.