Improving patient outcomes through interdisciplinary team management of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD): A scoping review

This project is a scoping review that maps what we currently know about interdisciplinary (team-based) management of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in adults. It focuses on who makes up the care team (e.g., dentistry, physiotherapy, maxillofacial surgery, psychology/behavioural health, speech therapy, and pain specialists), how these professionals work together in real clinical pathways, and what outcomes patients experience when care is coordinated across disciplines rather than delivered in isolation. The review will synthesize evidence across different healthcare settings and resource contexts (public/private, primary/tertiary care, face-to-face/telehealth/hybrid) to understand which models of collaboration are being used and whether they are associated with improvements in pain, jaw function, quality of life, patient satisfaction, and other clinical outcomes. Ultimately, the goal is to produce a clear, evidence-based picture of how interdisciplinary care for TMD is organized and delivered and what seems to work best across contexts, helping guide future practice, training, and policy.