I have some concerns regarding the June JADA article by Drs. Gary Klasser and Jeffrey Okeson, "The Clinical Usefulness of Surface Electromyography In the Diagnosis and Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders" (JADA 2006;137[6]:763–71).
I was surprised to find that, with all the search words the authors used, they did not run across the words "neuromuscular" or "Myotronics." They might have found a lot more references to surface electromyography (SEMG).
First, I feel I should disclose that I do use SEMG technology in part of my treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders, mainly the K7 Evaluation System (Myotronics-Noromed, Tukwila, Wash.). I feel my disclosure should be shared by the authors.
The Code for Dental Editors1 of the American College of Dentists American Association of Dental Editors states in Section A, Number 2, that "active steps should be taken to ensure that content is from reputable sources, factually accurate, balanced and unbiased."
Section A, Number 3, states, "label opinion as such, disclose potential conflicts and identify sources." I have been made aware that the authors have lectured against the neuromuscular philosophy of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) treatment. Dr. Okeson also sells training CDs on his philosophy and techniques. I have no quarrel with either free speech or free enterprise. I do feel this should have been disclosed to the readers of JADA.
I think a "gold standard" is a good thing. At one time, the gold standard in cardiology was a stethoscope. Now the gold standard is an electrocardiogram: an SEMG. Would we trust a cardiologist who used only a stethoscope, and just asked us if we were having any cardiopathy? I do hope this article and others on TMD and occlusion encourages more dentists to study these conditions. But let’s keep the discussions professional, accurate, open and ethical.
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