Studies suggest that patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) use more health-care services than those without TMD, yet dental utilization patterns are not well characterized. This retrospective study examined dental care utilization among Kaiser Permanente Northwest members with and without TMD diagnoses from 1998 to 2003. TMD patients consistently used 10–20% more dental services across all categories, particularly diagnostic and preventive care. Utilization increased with age and was higher among females. Dental use patterns did not change substantially after TMD diagnosis, indicating continued routine dental care. Overall, TMD patients are greater users of dental services regardless of diagnosis timing.
