About this course
This free course is designed for dental professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of atypical facial pain. It will equip you with the skills and knowledge required to diagnose and manage this complex condition effectively.
Our course looks into the details of atypical facial pain, providing insights into its diagnosis and the multidisciplinary approach required for effective management. You will learn how to differentiate it from other orofacial pain disorders and understand the psychological impact it has on patients.
The ability to diagnose and manage atypical facial pain is very important for dental professionals. This course offers an in-depth exploration of various investigative techniques, enhancing your capability to offer comprehensive care to your patients.
This course is relevant to dentists, nurses, hygienists, therapists, and other dental care professionals.
CPD Time: 1 hours (1 CPD Credit)
Customer feedback on this course
- Extremely informative, provided clear understanding of atypical facial pain.
- Well-structured and insightful, especially the multidisciplinary approach.
- Great insights into the psychological aspects, which is often overlooked.
- Highly valuable for anyone diagnosing facial pain.
- Thorough and practical, enhanced my diagnostic skills significantly.
Assessment: 12 MCQs. Pass mark 75%. more…
On passing the assessment you will immediately receive a GDC-recognised Enhanced CPD Certificate.
Aim:
To provide dental professionals with a comprehensive understanding of the diagnosis and management of atypical facial pain.
Course objective:
• To equip dental professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to accurately diagnose and manage atypical facial pain.
• To provide an understanding of the multidisciplinary approach required for comprehensive care of atypical facial pain patients.
Anticipated learning outcomes:
The learner will:
• Define and diagnose atypical facial pain accurately.
• Differentiate atypical facial pain from other orofacial pain disorders.
• Identify investigative techniques for atypical facial pain.
• Understand the psychological aspects of atypical facial pain and its impact on patients.
• Develop a multidisciplinary approach to patient management.
GDC Development Outcomes:
C
Learning content:
Introduction | Defining and Diagnosing | Classification | Differential Diagnosis | Investigations | Psychological Aspects | Management | Multidisciplinary Collaboration | Course Completion
View full course description
Atypical Facial Pain
Course Description
Introduction
Atypical facial pain (AFP) is a chronic facial pain condition characterised by persistent pain without a clear diagnosis. This section introduces AFP, its challenges in diagnosis, and its complex nature, including its association with psychological factors such as anxiety and depression.
Defining and Diagnosing
This section focuses on defining AFP and the difficulties in diagnosing it. AFP is typically a diagnosis of exclusion, requiring other orofacial pain disorders to be ruled out before confirming AFP. Dental professionals play a key role in identifying and managing this condition.
Classification
Atypical facial pain can be classified as primary or secondary, neuropathic or non-neuropathic, and trigeminal or non-trigeminal. This section breaks down the various categories and types, helping professionals differentiate between different forms of AFP.
Differential Diagnosis
Differentiating AFP from other orofacial pain conditions, such as trigeminal neuralgia, temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), and odontogenic pain, is very important. This section covers the distinguishing characteristics and diagnostic criteria for each.
Investigations
A thorough clinical examination, imaging studies, and neurological assessments are key investigative tools for diagnosing AFP. This section discusses the appropriate use of radiographs, MRI, and psychological evaluations to rule out other causes of facial pain.
Psychological Aspects
Pain perception in AFP is influenced by psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, and depression. This section looks at the role of mental health in AFP, emphasising the importance of addressing psychological components to improve patient outcomes.
Management
Management strategies for AFP include pharmacological treatments, behavioural therapies, physical therapy, and trigger point injections. This section highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, combining medical, psychological, and physical interventions for effective management.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Effective management of AFP often requires collaboration between dental professionals, neurologists, psychologists, and pain specialists. This section covers the roles of various healthcare providers in developing comprehensive treatment plans for AFP patients.
Course Completion
Participants will complete a feedback survey and take a multiple-choice exam. Upon passing, they will receive a GDC-compliant CPD certificate. The course emphasises the importance of early diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach to managing atypical facial pain.
You can copy and adapt this example PDP entry for your own needs and circumstances. The format complies with GDC guidance on PDP structure.
| PDP Learning or Maintenance need |
| Understanding and managing atypical facial pain |
| How does this relate to my field of practice? |
| Very important for accurate diagnosis and effective patient management. |
| Which development outcome(s) does it link to? |
| C |
| What benefit will this have to my work? |
| Enhanced diagnostic skills, better patient care, and improved multidisciplinary collaboration. |
| How will I meet this learning or maintenance need? |
| Enrol in the course "Atypical Facial Pain: Diagnosis and Management". |
| When will I complete this by? |
Note: After copying and adapting the suggested PDP entry, remember to reflect, plan, act, and evaluate for every CPD activity you undertake.