Background: Considering the significant impact on quality of life and the chronic nature of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD), seeking healthcare is also part of the reality of individuals with this disorder. However, cultural differences and similarities in the experiences of individuals with TMD have not yet been investigated. This study aimed to describe and compare the experiences, beliefs, and sociocultural factors of Brazilian and Spanish individuals with TMD, focusing on their perceptions of the disorder, diagnostic pathways, information-seeking behaviors, and treatment expectations. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted. A purposive sample of 50 participants (25 Brazilian, 25 Spanish), aged 18–50 and diagnosed with TMD according to DC/TMD criteria, was recruited. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Six themes emerged, revealing both similarities and differences between the groups. Brazilian participants reported uncertainty about which professional to consult and difficulty accessing specialized care. In contrast, Spanish participants frequently sought physical therapists as their first option and identified them as primary sources of information. Beliefs about TMD etiology varied across samples. Treatment expectations also differed. Brazilians emphasized the difficulty of obtaining effective care, while Spanish participants perceived physiotherapy as being limited to muscular disorders. Perceptions of occlusal splint effectiveness showed variation between the groups. Conclusions: These findings underscore the necessity of culturally sensitive approaches to patient care that address not only clinical aspects, but also the sociocultural context that influences health behaviors.

Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is an important source of orofacial pain, which is associated with other symptoms. Due to the chronicity of the condition, self‐management strategies are often required. However, little is known about participants' perspectives on the overlapping symptoms and the strategies used to manage facial pain. Objective: This study aims to explore the perspectives of participants with TMD on the characteristics, beliefs and coping of associated symptoms and what their self‐management strategies are for facial pain. Methods: This was a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study. Thirty‐two individuals with an average age of 28.3 years diagnosed with TMD according to the DC/TMD were interviewed using semi‐structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to identify, organise and describe the data. Results: Five themes were identified: (1) associated symptoms experienced; (2) participant's beliefs; (3) identifying relationships between symptoms; (4) professional management strategies; and (5) daily coping strategies. Participants described their perspectives on headache, neck pain, tinnitus and other jaw symptoms (e.g., fatigue) and the negative interaction between them. Psychological, work‐related and mechanical factors appear among possible causes. The use of self‐medication and/or non‐pharmacological strategies was common for all symptoms, with little search for health professionals. The only exception was tinnitus, where the search for professionals was mentioned based on the fear of something more serious. Conclusion: Perceptions of associated symptoms and their additional impact, beliefs that can perpetuate chronic conditions and self‐management strategies obtained from an individual's perspective may help health professionals to provide more appropriate care for individuals with TMD.