Jay L. Mackman, DDS

• Board Certified/American Board of Orofacial Pain
• Past President American Academy of Orofacial Pain
• Fellow/American Academy of Orofacial Pain
• Member/American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
• Member/American Academy of Sleep Medicine
• Diplomate/American Academy of Pain Management

Dr. Mackman is highly trained and knowledgeable in treating TMJ disorders, orofacial pain and dental sleep medicine. He has over 40 years of experience and has helped thousands of patients alleviate pain associated with orofacial pain and TMJ disorders. Dr. Mackman graduated from the Marquette university School of Dentistry. He has served as a consultant to most insurance companies and numerous hospitals in southeastern Wisconsin.

Additionally, Dr. Mackman is an advisor to the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Department at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He is the co-founder of both the TMJ & Orofacial Pain Treatment Centers of Wisconsin and the Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatments Centers.

Dr. Mackman is an author and/or contributor to several publications in the orofacial pain field. He has taught didactic and clinical courses at numerous dental schools, medical schools, hospitals and dental and medical organizations locally, nationally and internationally.

He is married to his wife, Debbie and has two sons. He enjoys spending time with his family, biking and reading.

Q&A with Dr. Mackman

How did you get interested in the field of Orofacial Pain?

I actually first became interested in the field of Orofacial Pain, when I was casually introduced to it around my second and third year of Dental School at Marquette University. In my fourth year, the head of Prosthodontics suggested, I start studying and taking outside continuing education courses in Orofacial Pain, since I had expressed such a strong interest in the field. This as they say was the beginning. So, around 1981 I started taking as many continuing education courses in Orofacial Pain, as I could find, attended Orofacial Pain Conferences, and went to classes or mini residency’s when they were available at University based Orofacial Pain Residency Programs. After graduation, I continued my pursuit of what would become not only my vocation, but my life pursuit. I was fortunate enough to study under, and with some of the finest, pioneers and educators in the field. Such names as: Harold Gelb, Bill Farrar, Parker Mahan, Janet Travell, Bill Solberg, Glenn Clark, Mariano Rocabado, Jeff Okeson, Jim Fricton and Steve Graff-Radford, just to name a few. As a result of this, I opened the first clinic in Wisconsin in 1982 which specialized in Orofacial Pain. Since then, I was fortunate enough to be asked to give lectures in Orofacial Pain at local, national and international dental and medical meetings. I have authored and/or contributed to several publications in the Orofacial Pain field. I have worked my way up the ladder at AAOP belonging to, and being chairman of several committees, being nominated to the council, which ultimately culminated with me, having the honor of serving as president of AAOP.

How do you feel that the field of Orofacial pain has evolved over the years?

The field of Orofacial Pain has evolved and matured so much in the 40+ years I’ve been involved with it. In large part, I feel the American Academy of Orofacial Pain has played a very important role in this advancement. This is because of the Academy’s (and its members), pursuit of evidence-based education, research, and patient care. This research, publication and education, still continues to expand the field. I believe one of the monumental or pivotal points in the Orofacial field occurred in 1995. This was the year The American Board of Orofacial Pain administered its first Board Certification exam. I was very proud to be one of the very first to take this exam and receive Board Certification that year. Another and probably most important major milestone was that of receiving specialty status. I was extremely happy and proud to be able to play a minor role, as I was president at the time when in April 2020, the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards, approved the AAOP’s application for the recognition of Orofacial Pain as a Dental Specialty, and announced that “Orofacial Pain is now the 12th recognized specialty of the American Dental Association.” I believe this helped affirm both our Academy, and the Orofacial Pain fields standing and authority in the American Dental community. The Orofacial Pain field, and AAOP’s growth, both continue to flourish.

The most challenging and rewarding aspects of caring for patients with Chronic Pain?

I feel treating patients with orofacial pain, and especially chronic pain, can be both very challenging, but also extremely rewarding. Patient’s come into the practice with various impairments, both physical and psychological. Since the Orofacial Pain field is so vast, you have to make sure you’re well educated in many domains, so you’re able to appropriately treat, and in some situations, know when to refer these patients for further specialized care. However, the self-satisfaction, and the appreciation you receive from these patients for helping them is immeasurable.

What advice do you have for the members who are starting their carrier in field of Orofacial Pain? Suggest some resources that were helpful to you.
For those members who are just starting or looking to advance their careers in the field of Orofacial Pain, my advice is simple. Get the most knowledge you can. If possible, apply to a residency program, these are excellent and growing in number. They also often offer classes or mini residences. Attend in person or online as many continuing education courses as you can. Attend conferences, such as the annual AAOP meetings, which offer a large variety of courses in the Orofacial Pain field. Also, AAOP has online courses available to members. Lastly, when attending AAOP annual meetings, reach out to other members for friendship and knowledge. Many of these members you meet and converse with are the top educators in our field.

What do you like to do in your free time?

While the Orofacial Pain field has meant so much in my life, my number one love is my family. I enjoy spending as much time with my wife, Debbie, my son Sean and his wife Samantha, and my son Brent. And now especially, my first baby grandchild Sloane. We love to go on vacations together when we can, or just spend time together at the lake. I also enjoy taking walks, riding my bike and reading.
Best wishes and good health to all.