Raise Awareness Support Research Make a Difference
Why Awareness Matters
- 35 million Americans live with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs).
- 90% of patients seeking treatment are women of childbearing age.
- 30+ health conditions can coexist with TMDs.
- Annual US economic impact: estimated at $32 billion.
- Limited research funding: NIH invests <0.05% of its budget on TMDs.
Join Us & Make an Impact
TMJ Awareness Month is about visibility, understanding, and support. Together, we can:
- Improve public knowledge of TMDs
- Advance research and evidence-based care
- Ensure patients are seen, heard, and supported
Understanding TMDs
Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) affect the jaw joint, surrounding muscles, and related structures, which can lead to chronic pain, limited jaw movement, headaches, ear discomfort, and difficulty eating or speaking. TMDs remain poorly understood, leaving patients to navigate fragmented care, frequent misdiagnoses, and inconsistent treatment. The lack of evidence-based therapies can sometimes result in further harm to those affected.
“TMJ disorders rarely exist alone. They overlap with conditions such as chronic fatigue, cardiovascular disorders, tinnitus, digestive issues, and sleep disorders.”
How Your TMJA is Making a Difference
TMJ Care Pathway – We are working to advance TMJ education as well as develop a structured guideline for diagnosis and treatment. Learn more.
TMJ Patient-Led RoundTable – Our TMJ RoundTable brings together patients, clinicians, regulators, and industry to guide research and policy. Learn more.
TMD IMPACT Grant – We will play an important role as patient advisors in the TMD Collaborative for IMproving PAtient-Centered Translational Research (TMD IMPACT). Learn more.
- TMJ Registry – We are developing a registry that will collect patient-reported data to improve care and research. Learn more.
Shop to Spread TMJ Awareness
Show your support and spread awareness with our TMJ-themed merchandise! Items include sweatshirts, t-shirts, and coffee mugs. Wearing or using these items helps educate others and reminds patients they’re not alone.
Spread Awareness on Social Media!
Throughout the month of November, we will be posting facts, quotes, patient experiences, and more on our social media pages. Help us raise awareness! Share facts, patient experiences, and TMJ educational content.
Hashtags:
#TMJAwareness | #NovemberTMJAwareness | #TMJAwarenessMonth | #LifeWithTMJ | #ChangingTheFaceOfTMJ
Your Voice Matters!
Your experiences can educate others and amplify the TMJ community.
Possible topics to address include:
- What triggered your TMJ issues? What are your symptoms? How long have you had them?
- What TMJ treatments have you tried (e.g., the number of treatments, results, and approx. costs)?
- How has TMJ impacted your relationships with friends, family, employers, co-workers, and others?
- What about TMJ would you like to see changed or improved in the future?
- What has helped you the most throughout your TMJ journey?
- Have you experienced stigma in your journey to be diagnosed and/or treated for TMJ? (provide examples)
- What would you wish the public knew about TMJ?
- What do you know now that you wish you would have known back when your TMJ first started?
- Anything else you’d like to share about TMJ disorders.
By submitting your experiences with TMJ, you are giving The TMJ Association permission to post and share this content on its website and through social media channels. If you submit a video, we ask that it be no longer than 3 minutes. Please send your submission to: info@tmj.org. For larger video files, you can send them to us via https://www.mailbigfile.com/.
Donate and Fundraise
Just $1 from every TMJ patient could raise $36 million to advance research, educate providers, and raise awareness.
Fundraise on Facebook or send a donation to the TMJA directly. Learn about the many ways you can support the TMJA and help spread awareness!