Editor′s Corner: Assessment Protocols

EDITOR’S CORNER: This 2012 issue of IJOM was inspired by interactions among the members of the International Association of Orofacial Myology’s (IAOM) Research Steering Committee. While discussing the needed research to further the knowledge base for orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMD), members of the Research Steering Committee indicated that results of research would be more meaningful if assessment instruments consistently evaluated the same critical components in the identification of OMDs. Professor Diana Grandi de Trepat, Barcelona, Spain initiated the sharing of assessment protocols by her willingness to provide the instrument that her interdisciplinary team employs. Dr. Irene Queiroz Marchesan, Sao Paulo, Brazil, agreed that consistency in assessments was indeed important to future research, and also shared the protocol used at her CEFAC Clinic. These protocols are included in this issue of IJOM. Dr. Marchean has also provided her protocol used for the assessment of the lingual frenum. She provides extensive photo documentation of items included in both protocols to enhance the educational experience for the readers of this issue. A special Thank You is due to all the members of the Research Steering Committee for their suggestions and support in identifying research needs. Members of this Committee, in addition to Professor Grandi and Dr. Marchesan, include: Dr. Gyaami Amoah, Accra, Ghana; Dr. Ivana Cukovic-Bagic, Zagreb, Croatia; Professor Pía Villanueva Bianchini, Santiago, Chile; Dr. Monica Strauss Hough, Miami, Florida; Dr. Pascal van Lieshout, Toronto, Canada; Dr. Robert M. Mason, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Dr. Jayanti Ray, Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Dr. Robert N. Seebold, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania; and Dr. Fumiyo Tamura, Tokyo, Japan;

Dr. Marvin Hanson, a Founding Father of IAOM, emphasizes in his Guest Editorial, the need for an wholistic approach to the evaluation and treatment of individuals who present with OMDs. He reinforces the need for a team approach in the identification of variables that impact OMDs. He also cautions against embracing tangential approaches and techniques. Marjorie Snow, has provided information for clinicians who are not familiar with the necessary dental terminology to more fully understand OMDs and to effectively interact with other members of the treatment team. She has influenced the advancement of IAOM through her leadership, and training clinicians in the identification and treatment of individuals with OMDs. An additional comprehensive protocol developed by Licia C. Paskay is also included in this issue. Paskay indicates that her protocol was developed primarily for use by speech-language pathologists.

A special congratulation goes out to Roberta Lopes De Castro Martinelli SLPS, Giédre Berretin-Felix PhD, and Dr. Marchesan who recently won approval in the city of Brotas in the State of Sao Paulo for the provision of a free assessment of the lingual frenulum for every infant which is to be conducted by a speech pathologist. Best wishes to them in their efforts to get this program legislated throughout Brazil at the national level. These individuals provide their protocol for assessing the lingual frenulum in infants in this issue.

It is hoped that IAOM members and others interested in orofacial myology will find this issue to be a valuable resource in their provision of service to individuals experiencing orofacial myofunctional disorders. It is also hoped that by reviewing the protocols clinicians will be able to identify the primary areas that should be assessed in a thorough evaluation. Consistency in evaluation protocols should allow clinicians to develop case studies that may then be shared with others, and also provide a basis for the needed research to further the knowledge about orofacial myofunctional disorders.

Patricia Taylor, MEd, COM, CCC-SLP

Editor-in-Chief/IJOM

Research Director/IAOM