Chronic idiopathic orofacial pain: 1: What is the evidence base?

Chronic idiopathic orofacial pain is currently a problem for the specialist s, but is this type of disorder peculiar to the face, and is there a role f or the general dental practitioner? This article reviews the current unders tanding and management of medically unexplained syndromes and discusses the ir application in facial pain. A second article will merge this contemporar y theory and clinical evidence into a management strategy, and stress the i mportance of early intervention in the primary care setting.