Benkert Pearls b Chart and document all orofacial myofunctional and TM functional deviations along with parafunctional habits/patterns. Conclusion With such a variety of orofacial labels and issues to observe, it is no wonder why many orthodontic practitioners become confused or concerned about this topic. Most are interested in how to address these issues for their patients. Embarking on this journey begins with deter-mining if your practice needs include orofacial myofunctional therapy. The next step is identifying the licensed professional you want to work with in a collaborative manner to provide therapeutic services either within your own office or on a referral basis to their office. Then it’s time to begin collab-orating on patient assessment, examination, treatment planning, implementation of coordinating programs, and continue a joint eval-uation throughout treatment and during the habituation/follow-up phases. The rest of this story ends with providing collaborative care for patients, reducing your treatment risk factors, and enjoying the results! Contact Kimberly Benkert at kbenkert@gmail.com or (708) 309-3844 for information regarding training seminars and lectures. Disclaimer: Kimberly Benkert teaches OMD/TMD seminars and offers training courses nationally and internationally. Her clinical offices are located in suburban Chicago. She is a past president of the ADHA, former IAOM Board member and OM Certification Examiner, and achieved Fellowship status (FAADH) in Orofacial Myol-ogy and TMD with the AADH. Benkert is CEO of MYO USA, Inc. and Midwest Orofacial Myology. MYO USA, Inc. is the US and Cana-dian distributor of the MYO Munchie, peri-oral, oromotor chew-ing brush. Benkert has a financial interest in the sale of the MYO Munchie in the US and Canada. She may be reached at 708-309-3844 or kbenkert@gmail.com b Collaboratively co-treat patients with a RDH or SLP certi-fied in Orofacial Myology (COM) to achieve balanced function and increase long-term stability. b Take an orofacial myology course for self-knowledge and gain additional oromotor/oral health perspectives. b Intern for a day with a COM to understand how Orofa-cial Myofunctional Therapies fit specifically into your practice treatment needs. b Encourage local dental hygiene programs to add didactic and clinical training course materials on OMD/TMD and parafunctional habit elimination. b Request CE programs be offered through your professional association. b Visit the IAOM website for a certified therapist in your area: www.iaom.com. tooth movement interferences; assists in maintaining arch expan-sion by achieving correct tongue and jaw posturing with pressures exerted by the tongue on the hard palate and developing a lingual-alveolar seal/pressure with correct lateral and posterior-lateral pres-sures of the tongue; focuses on eliminating labial (lip) incompe-tency through lip neuro-muscular toning and/or lip stretching exer-cises; addresses dentofacial func-tional abnormalities and the func-tional impact on the growth/devel-opment of the face and dentition. The IAOM defined a collateral scope of practice (1993) in order to create a commonality among health professionals who participate or engage in activities related to OMD and OMT. The essence of the scope of practice provided basic state-ments of agreement on what cran-iofacial conditions were most rela-tive to orofacial myology. The 40 May/June 2012 JAOS licensed professional background and training of the orofacial myolo-gist practitioner will determine the extent of the services and treatment offered. The American Speech-Hear-ing Language Association, Scope of Practice, Task 9.0, lists areas a SLP may not engage in providing treat-ment of parafunctional problems related to temporomandibular joint disorders and myofascial pain dysfunction, craniosacral manipula-tion or practices within the scope of physical therapy, practices related to the reduction of medical condi-tions, such as sleep apnea. 51 The American Dental Hygienists’ Associ-ation policies and code of ethics do not include limitations placed on patient services offered to the head/face/neck by a registered dental hygienist, support the US Surgeon General’s ‘Call to Action’ on Oral Health in America, and are supportive of the recommendations in the Health People documents. 48 Editor’s Note: Article references are available upon request or for download in the digital version at www.orthodontics.com.
Journal of the American Orthodontic Society May-June 2012: Page 40
