What is Orofacial Myology?
Orofacial Myology is the study of the oral and facial muscles in relation to their movement patterns for daily life. The muscles of the face, the lips, the tongue and the jaw should move in a way that supports healthy breathing, eating, speaking and swallowing.
Poor movement patterns are collectively known as myofunctional disorders and may be identified as
- mouth breathing,
- difficulty with speech, eating and/or swallowing,
- orofacial pain,
- orthodontic problems and
- sleep disordered breathing.
Myofunctional Therapy is the application of exercise-based training and techniques that can be applied by health professionals that have an underpinning knowledge of human biology and physiology directly with the head, face, mouth and throat. Myofunctional therapy is not a qualification but rather a modality that existing health professionals can apply within their existing scope of practice. To provide myofuntional therapy services in Australia, you need to be a registered health professional with either Speech Pathology Australia or the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
This association is here to represent Australian talent. We support growing professionals and highlight those people who are representing Australia on the world stage. We are here to promote the evidence-based application of myofunctional sciences in Australia and assist the community in finding local providers.
Who We Are
The Australian Association of Orofacial Myology Inc. is a professional association for Orofacial Myologists and other health professionals with an interest in Orofacial Myology.
The AAOM Inc. facilitates the promotion of Orofacial Myology in Australia including a central register of registered members and their qualifications, continuing education of members, and sharing of knowledge in order to promote a higher standard of service and develop universally recognised national standards for the profession.
The association also provides support for health professionals, patients and parents who seek information, guidance, research and therapy services for Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders.
Orofacial Myologists are registered health professionals with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency or Speech Pathology Australia and have undertaken specialty training to evaluate and treat a variety of myofunctional disorders. A directory of Membership includes all professionals who ascribe to the principles of the AAOM Inc. Members practicing in Orofacial Myology are designated as OM. All members adhere to the AAOM Inc. scope of practice.
A listing of all members, location and contacts can be found in the Members Directory page. Our members are happy to be contacted to discuss any queries regarding orofacial disorders.
