About the Program

Eastman Institute for Oral Health at a Glance

Goals and Objectives

A resident is trained to be a competent orofacial pain dentist and demonstrate knowledge, diagnostic skills, and treatment expertise in areas, such as musculoskeletal, neurovascular, painful post traumatic trigeminal neuropathies, neuropathic pain, sleep disorders, orofacial dystonia’s and intraoral, intracranial, extracranial and systemic disorders that originate orofacial pain. The management may include an inter and/or multidisciplinary approach including proper referral, physical therapy, physical medicine, behavioral medicine, pharmacotherapy and surgical interventions. These areas are covered in the curriculum via lectures, clinical sessions, research based on an evidence-based approach. Residents have the opportunity to engage in an interdisciplinary treatment approach and follow their patients throughout their training.

Core Program Objectives Include

• Develop an understanding of the principal epidemiologic characteristics of orofacial pain and TMJ disorders.
• Develop an understanding of the basic mechanisms of normal and pathologic processes involving pain and dysfunction in the craniofacial area.
• Develop an understanding of how the field of orofacial pain and TMJ disorders relates to various dental health sciences.
• Develop an understanding of the social, physical, psychological, physiological, and biological contributing factors associated with orofacial pain and TMJ disorders.
• Demonstrate competency in diagnosis and management of Orofacial pain and TMJ disorders and be able to function as an authoritative resource within academic and government institutions and clinical practice.
• Provide evaluation of patients presenting with craniofacial pain that is adequate to establish a diagnosis and contributing factors.
• Provide and/or coordinate management of a patient with orofacial pain or other disorders as a single clinician or as a member of a management team.
• Demonstrate above-average knowledge of the basic mechanisms of normal and pathologic processes involving pain and dysfunction in craniofacial areas, in order to serve as an expert witness, consultant, or investigator in research.
• Evaluate treatment and management outcomes in the care of patients suffering from orofacial pain and TMJ disorders.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the problems and special needs of patients suffering from orofacial pain and TMJ disorders.