Paulina Marín and Catalina Neira, students on the Master's Degree in Craniomandibular Dysfunction, Orofacial Pain and Dental Sleep Medicine, have been recognised for their research into the use of botulinum toxin to treat myofascial pain
Marín and Neira took part in the recent edition of the Annual Congress of the Spanish Society of Craniomandibular Dysfunction and Orofacial Pain (SEDCYDO), organised for the first time in conjunction with the Spanish Society of Gerodontology (SEGER) and the Spanish Society of Oral Medicine (SEMO). The event, held at the Complutense University of Madrid from 8 to 10 May, also featured students and teachers from the Master's Degree in Craniomandibular Dysfunction, Orofacial Pain and Dental Sleep Medicine, as well as the Master's Degree in Gerodontology, Special Patients and Oral Medicine.
The award-winning paper presented by the two students was titled “Botulinum toxin as a treatment for myofascial pain in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea, bruxism and xerostomia”, and focused on a complex clinical case treated with botulinum toxin to relieve myofascial pain in the masseter and temporal muscles, achieving very good results. As Paulina Marín and Catalina Neira explained, “The reason for consultation in the clinical case we presented was related to excessive jaw clenching. Following a comprehensive assessment, we decided to use botulinum toxin as part of a multidisciplinary treatment approach, with excellent outcomes.”
The two students wish to continue exploring the therapeutic use of botulinum toxin in complex cases of orofacial pain, as they emphasise that “it is an effective tool when used safely, by trained professionals, and following a comprehensive assessment of patients with specific profiles.”
Both Marín and Neira greatly valued their participation in the congress, which they attended at the encouragement of Dr Jordi Tomás and Dr Natalia de Felipe, directors of the Master's programme. “It was a very rewarding experience that we would recommend to all undergraduate and postgraduate students, as it allowed us to showcase our work, network, and grow both academically and professionally. In addition, receiving first prize for our clinical oral presentation has opened doors for us – including the opportunity to publish two clinical cases as articles in Medicina Oral Española,” they added.
