It just struck me today that it’s been two (or three) months since my last update, and that’s far too long to leave so many of you wonderful people in the dark. So here’s where things currently stand. First and foremost: WOW - 869 signatures. I know I’ve said this in earlier updates, but I truly cannot thank you enough. Every single person who has taken the time to sign, share, or even just read this petition has contributed to something bigger than themselves. One name on a list may feel small — but together, those names form a community. And that community now has a voice that cannot be ignored.

When I first launched this petition, I never expected it to gain this much momentum. Honestly, I thought maybe a handful of people close to me might notice, and that at best it would quietly fade away into the background like so many other petitions do. But here we are... nearly 900 people from across the UK (and beyond) who have taken the time to say, “This matters, and it deserves attention.” That simple act has turned what began as a lonely fight into something collective and meaningful.

I genuinely cannot put into words how much this means to me. Since 2022, when this nightmare first began, I have been fighting most of it on my own. Yes, my parents have always been supportive and have listened, but the truth is I don’t have many friends my own age left. To be honest, I’ve always been something of a loner even before TMJD turned my life upside down. But if there’s one thing that brings me comfort, it’s the knowledge that in this digital space, I am not alone. I am surrounded by people who not only understand the pain but also share the same values and the same determination to fight for justice.

I saw a quote the other day that said something like this: “Although I am a typical loner in my daily life, my awareness of belonging to the invisible community of those who strive for truth, beauty, and justice has prevented me from feelings of isolation.” That’s exactly how I feel today. This petition has created that invisible community — and it’s growing stronger and louder with each new name.

So, please know that over the last few weeks, I haven't been sitting still at home. I’ve been working hard to keep this momentum alive — contacting MPs, NHS England, regulators, and countless other organisations. As I'm sure many of you can appreciate, progress in these areas is rarely quick... and it can often feel like doors get slammed shut before you’ve even had the chance to make your case. But together, step by step, we are opening cracks in the wall.

The latest development, I feel, is an important one. With the help of my local MP and their team, this issue has finally reached UK Parliament in the form of written questions to the Department of Health and Social Care. We may not have received the most illuminating answers, but the fact the questions were even tabled at all means TMJD is finally appearing on the political radar.

And most recently, I have been advised to contact one of the Senior Authors of the new 2024 Royal College of Surgeons Guidelines on TMJD. These guidelines are definitely an important milestone – they officially recognise TMJD as a multi-factorial condition requiring more nuanced and interdisciplinary care. I suppose that, in itself, is progress. But, as many of us know too well, guidance only means something if it is actually implemented and when it benefits those it is supposed to help. Right now, there is no clear evidence that Trusts are applying these recommendations consistently, if at all. That’s why I will be writing to the authors to ask some very direct questions:

• How will these guidelines be rolled out and enforced across NHS Trusts?
• Will there be training or oversight to ensure clinicians actually follow them?
• Will there be audits — the NHS’s own gold standard for measuring compliance — to check and measure patient outcomes, service improvements, and regional variations?
• And crucially, will these findings be published so that patients can see what is actually being delivered on the ground?

These questions might sound technical, but they get to the heart of the problem: without accountability, guidelines risk becoming little more than well-worded documents that look good on paper, but do nothing for the patients in practice.

What We Hope to Accomplish

This petition isn’t just about drawing attention to one document or one set of guidelines. It’s about using this moment to push for a long-term shift in how TMJD is recognised, funded, and treated within the NHS... and hopefully other healthcare systems in the world.

What I would like to achieve through this campaign is:

1. International Recognition of TMJD as a Disability – no longer dismissed as a “minor dental issue” or treated solely as a psychosomatic complaint, but seen and treated as a legitimate, complex musculoskeletal and neurological disorder that requires serious attention.

2. A Proper Care Pathway – with early screening, multidisciplinary intervention (dentistry, physiotherapy, neurology, pain management), and escalation routes for those who don’t improve with first-line measures.

3. Inclusion of Modern, Evidence-Based Therapies – treatments such as Myobrace, ALF appliances, properly engineered occlusal splints, myofunctional therapy, and mandibular advancement devices. These are already being used internationally with success, yet they are absent from NHS provision.

4. Data and Transparency – audits, outcome measures, and patient feedback must become the backbone of service improvement. Without data, there is no way to measure success, and without transparency, patients will continue to feel ignored.

5. Reduced Long-Term Costs – by intervening earlier and more effectively, the NHS could save money otherwise spent on years of repeated consultations, pain medication, mental health support, or invasive surgery down the line. This is not just about compassion; it’s about efficiency.

Looking Ahead:

Beyond that, my hope is to continue building momentum in other areas, engaging with health committees, drawing the attention of sympathetic journalists, and pushing for NHS leaders and commissioning bodies to explain why modern treatments are excluded, and why patients are so often left with nothing but “self-management” leaflets and painkillers.

This is definitely not the end of the road... it’s just the beginning. And thanks to all of you, it’s a beginning filled with hope.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you again for believing in this cause, and thank you for standing with me. Together, we’re not just signing a petition... we’re sending a message: TMJD patients deserve better, and we will not be silent until that becomes reality.