This 5-hour interactive, self-paced online course is designed to improve temporomandibular disorders (TMD) care by increasing knowledge and competence. This curriculum maximizes learner engagement and retention through thoughtfully designed multimedia content.

Key Features:

• TED-Style Videos: Dynamic and concise presentations introduce key concepts in TMD care. 

• Interactive Case-Based Scenarios: Realistic patient cases with built-in feedback provide hands-on learning to reinforce comprehension. 

• Clinical Tools: Resources for TMD assessment and patient education, enabling immediate application in clinical settings.

• Asynchronous Delivery: Learners can progress at their own pace, ensuring accessibility for diverse audiences.

• Audience Suitability: Ideal for both students and professionals seeking continuing education. 

Course Structure:

The program is divided into four modules: 

• TMD Pathophysiology

• Screening and Assessment

• Diagnosis

• Management

This course empowers learners with the knowledge and tools necessary to elevate TMD care while fostering collaboration across healthcare disciplines. 

Learning Objectives:

1. To understand the basic mechanisms behind TMD.
2. To learn tools and techniques for effective patient evaluation.
3. To build competence in identifying common TMD types and comorbidities.
4. To develop skills to create effective treatment plans.

This course is approved for 5 continuing education credits. Documentation of earning these credits is available after completion of quiz and survey.

Join us for a resident-led webinar exploring the complex relationship between sleep disorders and mental health.

Presentations include:

• Insomnia and Sleep Apnea 
• Psychological and Psychosocial Factors of Insomnia/Apnea

This session will highlight the bidirectional links between sleep disturbances and psychological well-being, offering insights into diagnosis, management, and holistic care.

Learning Objectives:

• Formulate definitions and describe characteristics of primary headache disorders and cranial neuralgias presenting with facial pain
• Differentiate between different types of primary headache disorders and cranial neuralgias

Description:

Differential diagnosis of facial pain

The planners of this activity as well as the speaker have declared no financial relationships/interests that would represent a conflict of interest.

The American Academy of Orofacial Pain is an ADA CERP recognized provider.

ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.

AAOP designates this activity for 1 continuing education credit.

This is an informative podcast only, there are no CE credits to be claimed.

In Podcast 21 of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain series, Dr. Pratishtha Mishra interviews Dr. Nojan Bakhtiari about building a successful orofacial pain private practice. Dr. Bakhtiari shares his journey from dental school at NYU to academia and eventually private practice, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based care for TMD and orofacial pain. He discusses challenges such as public and professional awareness, common myths, and the need for strong referral networks. He highlights the role of technology, including cone beam CT and EHR systems, and stresses the importance of business planning, team development, and patient-centered care. Dr. Bakhtiari also underscores the value of professional organizations like the AAOP for staying informed and connected. He defines success as achieving positive patient outcomes, maintaining team satisfaction, and ensuring accessibility. His insights offer valuable guidance for clinicians aiming to establish or grow an orofacial pain practice.

• Describe the etiological factors of temporomandibular disorders
• Summarize the management options for temporomandibular disorders
• Discuss the role of dental occlusion in temporomandibular disorders

Dr. Okeson discusses the role of the Dentist in the diagnosis and treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders. Dr. Okeson is Professor, Chairman of the Department of Oral Health Science and Director of the College's Orofacial Pain Center, which he established in 1977. Dr. Okeson has more than 240 publications in the area of occlusion, TM disorders and orofacial pain in various national and international journals. He is past president of both the American Academy of Orofacial Pain and the American Board of Orofacial Pain. He has authored two textbooks on TM disorders and orofacial pain, which have been translated into eleven different languages. Dr. Okeson is a very sought after lecturer on the subject of TMD and orofacial pain and has presented more than 1100 invited lectures on the subject of TMD and orofacial pain in all 50 states and in 54 different countries. He has received the campus wide University of Kentucky “Great Teacher Award”, the Provost’s Distinguished Service Professorship, the University of Kentucky Hall of Distinguished Alumni Award, the American Academy of Orofacial Pain’s Service Award, and the first ever “Distinguished Alumni Award” from the College of Dentistry. Dr. Okeson has also received “The International Dentist of the Year Award” from the Academy of Dentistry International. This is the highest award recognized by this Academy and was given to him in recognition of his worldwide efforts in providing education in the area of temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain.

Dr. Gary Heir discusses the current state, future outlook and implications of Orofacial Pain as an emerging dental specialty. Dr. Heir is an internationally recognized expert on orofacial pain. He has published papers, chapters and abstracts on topics related to the field of temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain, and serves on several editorial boards of peer-reviewed journals.

• Discuss the need for accredited Orofacial Pain Programs
• Describe the impact of Orofacial Pain conditions in the quality of life of patients.
• Outline the goals of Orofacial Management

Dr. Gary D. Klasser obtained his dental degree from the University of Manitoba (Canada) in 1980. Over the next 22 years, he enjoyed the practice of general dentistry from both a public health and private practice perspective until he returned to graduate studies in 2002. In 2004, he completed his training and graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Certificate in Orofacial Pain. In 2005, he completed a fellowship in Oral Medicine/Oral Oncology at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). From 2005 – 2011, he was an Assistant Professor and Director of the Oral Medicine/Orofacial Pain clinic at the College of Dentistry in the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Diagnostic Sciences at Louisiana State University, School of Dentistry and is involved in clinical research and teaching. Dr. Klasser has published in a number of peer reviewed journals and has contributed chapters to various textbooks while serving as an editorial reviewer for a number journals. He is also co-editor of the 5th edition of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain book entitled: Orofacial Pain: Guidelines for Assessment, Diagnosis, and Management.

• Describe the new terminology proposed by the International Headache Classification for neuropathic pain conditions affecting the orofacial pain region.
• Summarize the different management options available for persistent facial idiopathic pain (PFIP) or painful post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy (PTTN)
• Explain the prognosis of persistent facial idiopathic pain (PFIP) or painful post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy (PTTN)

During this podcast, Dr. Bender will provide information that addresses the following 

Learning Objectives:

• Define sleep related breathing disorders
• Describe the risk factors associated with obstructive sleep apnea
• Discuss the role of dentist in the management of sleep disorders

Dr. Steven D. Bender earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree from Baylor College of Dentistry in 1986 and practiced general restorative dentistry for 14 years.

He then studied orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders at the Parker E Mahan Facial Pain Center at the University Of Florida College Of Dentistry.

From 2000-2015, Dr. Bender maintained a private practice devoted to pain management of the head and face, as well as sleep medicine. Beginning in 2016, he transitioned to a full time faculty member of Texas A&M University College of Dentistry and assumed the role of director of facial pain and sleep medicine. He has earned Fellowship in the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, the American Headache Society, the International Academy of Oral Oncology and the American College of Dentists and he is a diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain. He is a past president of the The American Academy of Orofacial Pain, The Fourth District Dental Society of Texas and the Dallas Academy of General Dentistry. In addition, he serves as a consultant for the United States Army.

In this episode of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain Educational Podcast, Dr. Ian Boggero speaks with Dr. Flavia Kapos, a pain epidemiologist and diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain, about how social environments shape pain experiences. Drawing from her clinical background and epidemiologic research, Dr. Kapos explains how factors such as income, education, neighborhood conditions, and social networks influence both the risk and impact of orofacial and chronic pain. The discussion explores the concept of "zip code versus genetic code," intergenerational effects of pain and stress, and how clinicians can better integrate social awareness into patient care. Listeners will gain new insight into how social determinants contribute to pain inequities - and how addressing them can lead to more just and effective pain management.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the impact of social determinants of health in chronic pain
• Describe the importance of the social component as part of the biopsychosocial model of pain
• Understand how the social context influences the resources to prevent and manage pain

In this podcast, Dr. Janey Prodoehl discusses the vital role of physical therapy (PT) in managing temporomandibular disorders (TMD). PT is a conservative, evidence-supported first-line treatment that addresses pain and functional limitations through manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular reeducation, and patient education. Acute TMD cases focus on rapid symptom relief and restoring movement, while chronic cases require structured, multidisciplinary care due to widespread pain and neuroplastic changes. PTs must screen for conditions outside their scope and collaborate with dentists, neurologists, and psychologists. Training in TMD varies among PTs, with advanced certifications like CCTT indicating specialized expertise. Dr. Prodoehl emphasizes the need for standardized education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and improved access to care. She is leading a national initiative to develop clinical guidelines for PTs treating TMD, aiming to enhance care quality and empower clinicians. The future of PT in orofacial pain management is promising with ongoing efforts to bridge gaps in training and practice.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the role of physical therapy in the diagnosis and management of orofacial pain patients
• Identify the physical therapy interventions for the management of temporomandibular disorders
• Outline how dentists and physical therapists can effectively collaborate as part of a multidisciplinary approach to the management of orofacial pain patients

This continuing education activity is worth 0.75 credits.