Integrated and global research efforts involving a diverse group of professionals has realized that recovery following neck trauma involves a complex interplay between biological, psychological, and environmental processes. In this session, we will speak about emerging advancements in the identification of biological markers of potential relevance to functional and psychosocial recovery after cervical spine trauma.

By the end of this lecture, course participants will be able to:
1. Highlight emerging biological and imaging markers of potential relevance to neck trauma
2. Provide participants with an understanding of the connections of biological markers of pain with functional and psychosocial outcomes.
3. Indicate how biological and imaging markers have the potential to guide decision making in patients with neck trauma

Dr. Okeson is Professor, Division Chief and Director of the Orofacial Pain Program, 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 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 1300 invited lectures on the subject of TMD and orofacial pain in all 50 states and in 58 different countries. He has received the campus wide University of Kentucky “Great Teacher Award”, the Provost’s Distinguished Service Professorship, the American Academy of Orofacial Pain’s Service Award, the Acorn Award for the outstanding professor in the state of Kentucky 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.