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About This Site
Copyright
All information on The TMJA Web site, unless otherwise noted, is copyrighted by The TMJ Association, Inc. (TMJA). Reproduction or republication of any material presented here is prohibited without the prior written permission from The TMJA. All rights reserved.
Design & Maintenance
The TMJA Web site was created and is maintained by Anthony Uljanec, who volunteers much of his time and expertise. The TMJA would also like to thank the Communication Technologies branch of the Office of Communications - National Cancer Institute (NCI) for critiquing our site and for their expertise and recommendations which made it more user-friendly.
Who We Are
The mission of The TMJ Association is to improve the care and treatment of those affected by TMJ diseases/disorders through fostering research and education, with the ultimate aim of preventing these craniofacial problems. The Association's goal is to achieve through sound research, safe and effective means of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of these diseases.
The Association is a non-profit 501(c)(3) exempt private foundation founded in 1986 and based in Milwaukee. Originally a local support group for TMJ patients who felt isolated and is understood, it now serves as the leading national non-profit organization dedicated to TMJ.
We have been told by various treating professionals, professional organizations, and even some patients that various treatments have been helpful, and we respect all opinions. We know that patients get better or worse with treatment, without treatment and in spite of treatment. This is TMJ lotto. The fact is, our database is filled with stories of pain and dysfunction, sagas of multiple failed treatments, weakened physical conditions, financial ruin, professional abandonment and psychological trauma. There is a deficiency of scientific evidence to determine if the pain and dysfunction occur as a consequence of TMJ, or as a consequence of scientifically unsubstantiated treatments. We find this appalling and unacceptable.
Our first obligation to the TMJ patient and the public is to present the truth about TMJ diseases and disorders. The facts are not comforting to one whose life may be falling apart. Patients experience the inability to perform things which are all too often taken for granted, such as chewing, smiling, kissing, talking, swallowing and breathing. It is not comforting to learn that you have a disease/disorder about which little is known and that you must wait until scientists take an interest in "TMJ" so that you can perhaps get a semblance of your life back.
Support Contact Disclaimer
From time to time, TMJ patients who call The TMJ Association ask to be put in touch with other TMJ patients in order to discuss their common experiences, and a number of individuals have consented to be contacted by other TMJ patients for this purpose. The TMJ Association is willing to facilitate contact between TMJ patients for this purpose, but the individual(s) whose contact information is provided by The TMJ Association are neither the employees nor agents of the Association. Consequently, The TMJ Association is not responsible for any actions taken or advice provided by these individuals. The TMJ Association does not endorse any particular medical treatment or procedure, nor do we make any medical or dental referrals. We ask the individuals whose contact information is provided to follow the same policies. If you experience a problem with one of these individuals, please contact us immediately in writing.
Medical Disclaimer
We are not physicians or health care providers, and therefore the opinions that we express are based upon our personal experiences, those of patients who communicate with us, and our general research on the subject. The Association offers support to those who suffer from pain and dysfunction related to temporomandibular diseases. Further, it advocates for basic and clinical scientific research to find the causes of temporomandibular joint diseases, as well as treatments scientifically proven to be safe and effective.
We would like to share with you what we have learned over the years by talking with patients and professionals around the country and reading the literature. With little research to fall back on, there are no easy answers to the many questions you may have. We hope this general information will provide assistance as you make your health care decisions.
The TMJ Association presents the following solely as an information guide to provide you with direction in your interaction with your professional provider and in making your health care decisions. The information contained on this Web site does not constitute medical advice, nor is it a substitute for medical advice. Always consult with your doctor before starting any treatment. The TMJ Association does not provide physician referrals and does not endorse any particular health care professional or organization.