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Maxillofacial Surgery · Refer Your Patient
Copied from the official Gold Coast Health condition page (27 Aug 2026). Hospital triage assigns the official category. Live source: Refer Your Patient — Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ).
Cat 1 · 30 days
appointment within 30 calendar days. - Acute TMJ injuries - unexplained limitation of mouth opening – acute (with or without pain) - Chronic TMD symptoms lasting for more than three months. - Persistent or worsening symptoms despite primary care treatment - Uncertain diagnosis - Marked psychological distress associated with symptoms and/or occlusal preoccupation (persistent hyper-awareness or hypervigilance of their bite)
Cat 2 · 90 days
appointment within 90 calendar days. - Acute jaw locking open or closed
Cat 3 · 365 days
appointment within 365 calendar days. - Chronic TMJ dysfunction (osteoarthropathies) - Unexplained persistent pain or chronic widespread pain
Referral will be returned without this. If a mandatory test cannot be obtained, say so in the referral.
- Any obvious/known arthropathy. - Plain imaging of OPG open and closed views - Mouth opening measures between the teeth (cm/fingers) including whether patient has: - Pain lateral condyle TMJ - Masseter pain/tenderness - Temporalis pain/tenderness - Headaches - Neck pain - Shoulder pain - Any other history of arthropathy of other joints - History of Auto Immune Disorders joints - Previous trauma joints - Previous surgery on TMJ - EAR Examination - Previous history of facial pain syndromes joints
The following conditions are out of scope for this service: - General dental (including wisdom teeth removal and dental implants) for patients without eligibility* *Eligibility when referred from public oral health service, or if the patient has any of the following conditions; - Acute unmanageable dental infections - Non-healing of extraction sites - Dental extraction in medically compromised patients (e.g. Patients suffering from Hemophilia, cardiac disease, thoracic disease, multiple co- morbidities) - Patients requiring extraction of teeth prior to head and neck radiotherapy or cardiac surgery - Hypodontia, delayed eruption of teeth
Parent service: Maxillofacial Surgery
Sign in for localised assessment and management. HealthPathways does not send the referral. Register: gchealthpathways@health.qld.gov.au