[Craniomandibular disorders. A retrospective study of patients referred to the department of Special Dental Care Utrecht].

The data of 230 randomly selected patients were collected, constituting a representative sample out of the population visiting the department of Craniomandibular Disorders in Utrecht in 1987. By means of a flowchart an overview has been given concerning the intake of these patients and their course in diagnosis and treatment. Within the group of CMD-patients, four subgroups have been composed on basis of clinical and radiological findings. Differences have been found between these groups, concerning e.g. mean age and the prevalence of headache. Treatment results expressed as the clinical dysfunction index (objective) and the judgement of the patient (subjective) were found to be correlated. Most patients expressed mild symptoms of dysfunction after treatment. From the self-report questionnaire it can be concluded that the majority of the patients reported a satisfying treatment result.