The Hidden Costs of Persistent Orofacial Pain

by Matt Breckons

The DEEP Study was carried out by a team of researchers at Newcastle University with the aim of gaining a better understanding of the costs involved in managing persistent orofacial pain and how care pathways could be improved for people with the condition.

Persistent orofacial pain (POFP) refers to a group of conditions which cause pain in the face or mouth and do not originate in the teeth. Previous studies have suggested that health professionals find it hard to manage POFP and that consequently many patients have difficulty obtaining a diagnosis and effective treatment for the condition

Qualitative research has highlighted the severity and impact of the pain that people experience and how the current care pathway often results in people spending extended periods of time with unmanaged pain.

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