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Objective To gain a deeper understanding of the range of influences on the full range of dental professionals who provide treatment for temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

Design Qualitative semi-structured interviews.

Setting Primary and secondary care in the North and South of the United Kingdom.

Sample and method A criterion-based purposive sample was taken of dental practitioners, comprising primary and secondary care practitioners. In-depth interviews were conducted and data collection and analysis occurred concurrently until data saturation was achieved.

Data and discussion There was a reported lack of adequate remuneration for provision of treatment for TMD within primary care. This alongside the primary care practitioners' reported uncertainty in diagnosis of TMD appeared to lead to a propensity for referral to secondary care. Practitioners recognised a poor and scanty evidence base on which to …