This paper presents the results of an applied qualitative study with dental students and professionals who work with people suffering from temporomandibular disorder. The aim was to investigate the way that dental practitioners and students perceive patients affected by this disorder, how they feel faced with the patients' suffering, and the importance they assign to a multidisciplinary approach, highlighting the treatments used. It is noteworthy that various factors are involved in the temporomandibular disorder framework, including emotional factors, as cited by the majority of the respondents. The data obtained indicated that the knowledge of the professionals and students related to caring for people with temporomandibular disorders was appropriate, however, important inadequacies were highlighted, such as the fact that professionals do not investigate the life history of the person in their psychosocial context.
Temporomandibular joint; Dentistry; Multidisciplinary treatment