Report Title:

TMJ Treatment; DOH Study

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

59

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

  

STATE OF HAWAII

  
   

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO STUDY ISSUES CONCERNING TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DISORDER, THE HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF NOT TREATING THE DISORDER, AND TO RECOMMEND WHETHER HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR TREATMENT OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DISORDER SHOULD BE REQUIRED IN HAWAII.

 

 

WHEREAS, temporomandibular joint disorder and temporomandibular joint syndrome is defined as a group of symptoms stemming from tension in or faulty articulation of the temporomandibular joint; and

WHEREAS, symptoms may include:

(1) Popping, clicking, or crackling sounds in or near the ear;

(2) Pain when opening or closing the mouth;

(3) Tenderness or soreness of the jaw;

(4) Pain or tenderness when chewing;

(5) Ringing in the ears;

(6) Severe pain in the joint area;

(7) Dizziness;

(8) Headaches;

(9) Pain around the eyes, cheeks, or temples;

     (10) Chronic fatigue;

     (11) Tenderness and swelling at the sides of the face;

     (12) "Locking" of the jaw;

     (13) Toothaches; and

(14) Tingling or burning sensations in the mouth, tongue, or throat; and

WHEREAS, causes of temporomandibular joint disorder may include:

(1) Malocclusion, which is a primary cause of the disorder, means that the upper and lower teeth meet imprecisely for chewing purposes so that the joint is strained when trying to compensate for a poor bite;

(2) Stress, during which some people unconsciously grind or clench teeth, creating strain of the joint;

(3) Posture, or poor posture habits, may cause strain on the joint, and mouth breathing (because of respiratory difficulties or other reasons) can also cause muscle fatigue, affecting the joint; and

(4) Trauma, or injury, caused by accidents or a blow to the area, and occasionally, a seemingly harmless action such as opening the mouth wide to yawn vigorously may cause an episode of pain in susceptible individuals; and

WHEREAS, in March 1998, researchers at the University of Texas claimed the following:

(1) The disorder causes $30,000,000,000 in lost productivity and 550,000,000 lost work days per year;

(2) At any one time, 10,000,000 people are treated for the disorder;

(3) About one-fifth of those who have the disorder require some treatment; and

(4) About ten per cent of those treated will need surgery; and

WHEREAS, temporomandibular joint disorder appears to be a significant health problem that health insurers are not required to cover in Hawaii; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Health is requested to conduct a study on the nature and seriousness of temporomandibular joint disorder and the health consequences if it is left untreated; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to submit to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2001, its report including findings and recommendations on whether or not treatment for temporomandibular joint syndrome should be a mandated health coverage in Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health.

 

 
 

OFFERED BY:

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