Attitudes of a group of Brazilian orthodontists towards the diagnosis and management of primary headache (migraine): an electronic-based survey

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and attitudes oforthodontists in the diagnosis and management of migraine without aura.

Material and Methods

Participants were dentists, recruited among members of the Brazilian Associationof Orthodontics and Facial Orthopedics (ABOR). An e-mail was sent to all ABORmembers, with a link to a website, especially prepared for this research. Dentistswere presented to a report of a fictional patient fulfilling diagnostic criteriafor a primary headache disorder, known as migraine without aura. Participants wereasked to describe how they would relieve the patient''s pain. Professionalprocedures were classified as "adequate" or "inadequate" according to the answersgiven.

Results

161 valid answers were received (18.8% response rate). Of them, 36% of the actionswere considered to be "adequate" procedures, while 64% were "inadequate". Theresults yielded 12 main procedures, based on common characteristics. Eighty-twoorthodontists suggested orthodontic treatment with or without orthognathicsurgery, and some suggested using stabilization appliances prior to theorthodontic treatment.

Conclusions

The majority of participants proposed inadequate therapies, and 51% suggestedorthodontic correction of occlusion, including orthognathic surgery. Educationalactivities on migraine should also target orthodontists.