Aims: To carry out a randomized clinical trial (RCT) contrasting usual conservative treatment of TMD by clinical TMD specialists with a structured self-care intervention, targeted to clinic cases independent of TMD physical diagnosis, who were reporting minimal levels of psychosocial dysfunction; the intervention was delivered by dental hygienists in lieu of usual treatment. Methods: The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) was used to target subjects who exhibited minimal TMD-related psychosocial interference. Criteria for study inclusion were: (1) self-report of facial and/or masticatory muscle pain discomfort for which usual care was prescribed by the clinic TMD specialist; (2) RDC/TMD Axis II graded scale of chronic pain (GCP) score of 0, I, or II-Low. (3) Age 18 to 70 years. Results: On 1-year follow-up, while both groups showed improvement in all clinical and self-report categories measured, patients in the tailored self-care treatment program compared to usual TMD treatment showed significantly: (a) decreased TMD pain, (b) decreased pain-related interference in activity; (c) reduced number of masticatory muscles painful; (d) fewer additional visits for TMD treatment. Groups were comparable with regard to measures of vertical range of motion. The self-care program was associated with consistent, but non-statistically significant, trends towards lower levels of depression and somatization. Ability to cope with TMD, knowledge concerning TMD and patient satisfaction was significantly enhanced for the self-care group. No participating patients experienced physical or personal adverse effects during the 1-year post-treatment follow-up period. Conclusion: Use of RDC/TMD psychosocial assessment criteria can contribute to successful clinical decision-making for the management of TMD. Schlagwörter: Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD, self-care, pain