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:
Course Structure:
The program is divided into four modules:
This course empowers learners with the knowledge and tools necessary to elevate TMD care while fostering collaboration across healthcare disciplines.
Learning Objectives:

This course is approved for 5 continuing education credits. Documentation of earning these credits is available after completion of quiz and survey.
Dr. James Hawkins currently serves as Chair of the Orofacial Pain Center at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School (NPDS) in Bethesda, MD, as well as the Orofacial Pain Specialty Leader to the Navy Surgeon General. He completed a residency in Orofacial Pain at NPDS and received a Master’s Degree in Oral Biology from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in 2015. In 2017, he received a certificate in Medical Acupuncture from Helms Medical Institute. Dr. Hawkins is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain and the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. His recent academic awards include the NPDS Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence (2021) and the Walter Reed Associate Master Clinician Award (2021). He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Orofacial Pain. He is also an oral board examiner for the American Board of Orofacial Pain.

Commander Abby Schmidt (USNR) – Dr. Schmidt served on Active Duty in the United States Navy for 11 years. During that time, she completed an Orofacial Pain residency at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School in 2018. In 2022, she moved back to her home state of Michigan and began private practice at the Michigan Center for Facial pain and Sleep in the metropolitan Detroit area. Dr. Schmidt is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain and a fellow of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain.

Commander Preston Criddle (USN) – Dr. Criddle serves as the Orofacial Pain Residency Program Director at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School, Naval Medical Leader and Professional Development Command, in Bethesda, MD. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain and a fellow of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain.
Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Hargitai graduated from Case Western Reserve University, School of Dentistry in 1996. Dr. Hargitai completed his Oral Medicine residency in 2002, and a fellowship in Orofacial Pain in 2004, both at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School (NPDS), while receiving a Master of Science from the George Washington University. He received a certificate in Medical Acupuncture from the Helms Medical Institute in 2010 and a Certificate in Teaching by the Uniformed Services University in 2016.
Dr. Hargitai is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Medicine as well as the American Board of Orofacial Pain. His research interests lie in characterizing patients with chronic pain. CAPT Hargitai currently serves as Professor and Staff at the Oral Medicine and Orofacial Pain departments at NPDS, Bethesda, MD.

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Weber (USAF) – Dr. Weber serves as Director of Orofacial Pain at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX. He received his certificate in Orofacial Pain from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry in 2014. Dr. Weber is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain and a fellow of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain.

Lieutenant Colonel Paul Goforth (USA) – Dr. Goforth is a board-certified Endodontist and is currently pursuing Orofacial Pain specialty training at Navy Postgraduate Dental School, Naval Medical Leader and Professional Development Command.