For practitioners

Refer for TMJ assessment

TMJ Centre Melbourne accepts referrals for diagnosis-led assessment of temporomandibular disorders and related orofacial pain conditions.

Assessment is aligned with DC/TMD criteria and considers contributing factors such as sleep, cervical involvement and behavioural load where relevant.

Following assessment, we provide a structured written report outlining the working diagnosis, contributing factors and recommended management plan. We welcome shared care and case discussion where appropriate.

Clinical scope

What we assess

TMJ Centre Melbourne assesses temporomandibular disorders and related orofacial pain presentations where the source of symptoms may be unclear.
Assessment is diagnosis-led and aligned with DC/TMD criteria. This means we assess jaw joint function, jaw muscle pain and whether examination findings reproduce the patient’s familiar pain.

Where relevant, assessment may also consider contributing factors that influence symptoms over time, including:

Clenching or grinding
Sleep disruption
Cervical involvement
Headache overlap
Behavioural load
Prior response to splint therapy

This helps clarify whether symptoms are primarily joint-related, muscle-related, referred from nearby structures, or influenced by multiple factors.

Referral indicators

When to consider referral

Referral may be appropriate when the diagnosis is unclear, symptoms are persisting, or jaw pain is not responding as expected to conservative care.

TMJ-related pain often involves an overlap of joint, muscle, headache, cervical, sleep and behavioural factors. This can make the primary source of pain difficult to identify in general practice.

Consider referral when there is:

Jaw pain, headache or ear symptoms with an unclear source
Pain aggravated by chewing, clenching or jaw movement
Morning jaw pain or headaches that persist during the day
Persistent symptoms following trauma
Symptoms lasting longer than three months
Limited opening, deviation, clicking or locking

Earlier referral may help clarify diagnosis and guide appropriate conservative management.

Referral pathway

How to refer

Refer via the booking page

Practitioners can refer patients through our booking page.

Ask the patient to book online

Patients may also self-refer and book online if they are seeking assessment for jaw pain, facial pain, headaches or related TMJ symptoms.

Call the clinic for urgent advice

For urgent concerns, practitioners can call the clinic for immediate advice.

Report and shared care

What happens after assessment

Following assessment, we provide a structured written report back to the referring practitioner.
The report outlines the working diagnosis, relevant contributing factors and recommended management plan. Where appropriate, it may also include guidance on shared care or interdisciplinary input.

This helps support continuity of care and keeps referring practitioners informed after their patient has been assessed.

Report may include

Working diagnosis
Relevant clinical findings
Contributing factors
Recommended management plan
Suggested shared care considerations
Review or follow-up recommendations

Clinical rationale

Foundational references

Our assessment approach is informed by key clinical frameworks and research that have shaped the diagnosis and management of temporomandibular disorders.

DC/TMD diagnostic criteria

The DC/TMD framework provides a structured approach for assessing common temporomandibular disorders. It supports diagnosis by considering jaw pain history, jaw function, clinical examination findings and whether palpation or movement reproduces familiar pain.

OPPERA studies

The OPPERA studies helped broaden understanding of painful TMD as a condition influenced by multiple factors. These include general health, sleep, psychosocial factors, behavioural load and pain sensitivity.

Conservative care guidance

Current evidence supports diagnosis-led, conservative management as a first-line approach for many TMD presentations. Treatment planning should consider whether symptoms are joint-related, muscle-related, referred from nearby structures, or influenced by broader contributing factors.

Practitioner education

Educational collaboration

TMJ Centre Melbourne welcomes educational collaboration with dental, medical and allied health teams.

We can provide practical education on recognising jaw pain presentations, screening for possible TMD and understanding when referral may be appropriate.

Educational sessions may include: