Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) - The Polish version of a dual-axis system for the diagnosis of TMD

Aim of the study: To describe the steps taken to conduct a formal forward translation/back-translation from English to Polish, and to establish the cultural equivalence of the Polish version of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). This will be preceded by a brief historic overview of the insights into TMD, to provide a rationale for using this dual-axis diagnostic system.
Material and methods: The Clinical Examination Form, the Specifications section, and the algorithms for axes I and II scoring of the RDC/TMD document were forward translated from English to Polish. In order to cross-culturally adapt the instrument, the History Questionnaire and the verbal directions for the patient (part of the Specifications section) were both forward translated and back-translated. Special attention was given to the questions from the History Questionnaire focusing on demographic characteristics. To that end, the official Translation Guidelines of the International RDC/TMD Consortium were followed.
Results: No substantial difficulties in translating were encountered during either the forward translation process of the Clinical Examination Form, the Specifications section, and the algorithms, or during the forward and back-translation of the History Questionnaire and the verbal directives for the patient. Thus, a linguistically valid and culturally equivalent Polish translation resulted.
Conclusions: Since the internationally established and accepted translation/adaptation Guidelines were used to establish the Polish version of RDC/TMD, this instrument is now available for the assessment of TMD in Poland.