Orofacial myology and the treatment of individuals experiencing orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMD) is an international topic which is addressed in a variety of ways. In the United States, the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) has recently added a section to their Practice Portal addressing orofacial myofunctional disorders. While there is no professional degree program in the United States addressing this disorder as a specific area, OMDs do occur as a difficulty separately and also in conjunction with a variety of clinical concerns. The clinician needs to be aware of the potential impact of OMDs with other disorders. The clinician also needs to be aware of conditions that are not directly diagnosed as OMDs themselves but may have an impact on the successful treatment of OMDs. Some of the articles included in this issue provide information on conditions and treatments that the clinician should be aware of that may impact the success of our treatment of OMDs: dry needling for myofascial pain, facial burns, dermatomyositis. This issue also presents information on the relationship between ankyloglossia and swallowing function, and another on bruxsim while awake. There is a great deal of information that is necessary for the clinician providing orofacial myofunctional therapy of which they should be aware, and many questions yet to be answered. We are always learning.
The International Journal of Orofacial Myology is the only professional journal dedicated specifically to related OMD clinical topics, and research related to OMDs and treatment protocols. The IAOM is almost ready to provide members with information on the establishment of an Institutional Review Board, which will be offed as a member benefit to those individuals who are interested in conducting research. We need to have research addressing not only the incidence and prevalence of OMDs in a variety of populations, but also the impact on associated disorders when the OMDs are addressed.
The IJOM Staff hopes that you enjoy this issue. If you have any feedback or suggestions for future topics that may be of interest to you, please feel free to contact me:
kptaylor2@verizon.net.
