Orofacial Pain: An Evolving Landscape

In March 2020, the field of orofacial pain officially became recognized as the 12^th specialty in dentistry.¹ Two months prior, the first comprehensive, internationally accepted orofacial pain classification system was published.² These significant milestones in the field of orofacial pain, and the dental profession at-large, are the culmination of many years of research, practice, and advocacy from which we all benefit. Rather than serving as a shiny status symbol, specialty recognition serves as a call-to-action – to specialists, general dentists, and healthcare professionals alike. This orofacial pain-themed Journal collection highlights several themes woven through the current, yet quickly evolving, orofacial pain landscape: a) the impact of specialty recognition on access to orofacial pain care, b) utilization of shared, clear, and consistent terminology within and across professions, and c) the significance of collaborative, interprofessional care.

This collection commences with the article “The New Specialties of Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine: Practical Strategies to Improve Access to Care for Orofacial Disorders” by Drs. James Fricton and Nelson Rhodus. The authors lay out a compelling argument for how specialty status can enhance access to care. Further, they outline barriers to improving access to quality, effective, and affordable care for oral and facial disorders as well as offer pragmatic solutions via a multi-pronged approach. Efforts will require intentionality across professions and sectors, highlighting the need for shared understanding via clear and consistent terminology. As such, Dr. Zaman and her team of authors utilize an interesting orofacial pain case to better acquaint us with the first International Classification of Orofacial Pain (ICOP) in their article “Diagnosing Non-Odontogenic Sources of Dental Pain: A Case Report and Review of the International Classification of Orofacial Pain, 1^st edition.” In their review of the clinical features and diagnostic tests that help distinguish between odontogenic and non-odontogenic pain, the authors remind us how this classification tool can serve as a comprehensive diagnostic manual for general dentists and specialists – especially when an orofacial pain-related diagnosis is unclear. However, to limit its benefits to the dental profession alone would contradict the interdisciplinary, collaborative ethos of the orofacial pain field. In fact, the ICOP classification committee members fully expected the classification tool to “bring professionals working on head, orofacial, eye, nose, sinus and neck pain closer, and encourage active collaboration.”² For this reason, the collection culminates with the article “Interprofessional Management of Chronic Orofacial Pain: A Topic Review, Steps to Improve Collaborative Care, and a Case Example” by Dr. Wawrzyniak and her multidisciplinary team. These authors illuminate the need to establish interprofessional management of chronic orofacial pain, while simultaneously exploring realistic challenges in doing so. The authors utilize a clinical case to walk us through a framework outlining distinct levels of collaborative care, inviting readers to contemplate the current level at which they practice.

What an honor it is to be a part of this incredible field – where our profession continues to evolve and rise to the call of patients and communities we serve. Where challenges persist, opportunities abound. Historically, the field of orofacial pain has benefited from a fierce group of tireless, forward-thinking leaders striving for the betterment of the specialty and dental profession. Our future is bright, and I would like to thank my colleagues for generously sharing their knowledge and experience as authors for this orofacial pain Journal collection. Collectively, the articles celebrate the evolving orofacial pain landscape and highlight key areas whereby we ought to continue striving for actionable improvement. My hope is that this collection serves as a call-to-action to be intentional in how we move forward as a profession as we strive to optimize orofacial pain care for all.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).