Scientific Program
Thursday, April 30, 2026 – Pre-Conference Courses
These Pre-Conference Courses require separate registration from the main meeting.
Hidden Connections: How Systemic Disease Relates to Orofacial Pain
8:30am – 4:30pm | Course Director: Davis Thomas
Botulinum Toxin in Orofacial Pain Management
8:30am – 4:30pm | Course Directors: Donald Nixdorf, Isabel Moreno Hay
Orofacial Pain Essentials: A Powerful Primer for Dentists
8:30am – 4:30pm | Course Director: Sowmya Ananthan
Head and Neck Dissection
8:30am – 4:30pm | Course Director: Ronald Auvenshine
Ultrasound Guided Injections for the TMJ – Morning & Afternoon Sessions
8:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 4:30pm | Course Directors: Ricardo Tesch, Aurelio Alonso
Telehealth for Orofacial Pain: Effectively Expanding Access to Care*
8:30am – 12:30pm | Course Director: Emily Kahnert
Vestibular Basics in Orofacial Pain*
1:00pm – 4:30pm | Course Director: Susan Whitney
*Attendees can bundle these two half-day courses for a full day of content. The early rate for this bundle is $500 and the regular rate is $600. Register here.
Friday, May 1, 2026
7:00am – 8:00am
Breakfast Session: How to Write and Review a Research ArticleDaniele Manfredini
8:00am – 8:30am
Welcome to AAOP 2026
8:30am – 9:15am
Keynote: 50th Anniversary of the AAOP: The Journey from Gnathology to Orofacial Pain
Jeffrey Okeson
9:15am – 10:00am
Keynote: A National Agenda: NASEM and the Future of Orofacial Pain Management
Sean Mackey
10:00am – 10:15am
Speaker Panel
10:15am – 10:45am
Coffee Break, Posters, Exhibits
10:45am – 12:30pm
Friday Morning Parallel Tracks
Track A: Advances in Diagnostics and Imaging
10:45am – 11:30am
MRI for the Future: Imaging Strategies to Optimize Orofacial Pain
Donald Nixdorf
11:30am – 12:15pm
Seeing Pain in Action: Functional MRI & PET Imaging of Nociceptors
Sandip Biswal
12:15pm – 12:30pm
Speaker Panel
Track B: Psychological & Behavioral Interventions
10:45am – 11:30am
Restoring Rest: Behavioral Sleep Strategies for Chronic Orofacial Pain
Ian Boggero
11:30am – 12:15pm
The Power of Partnership: Building Therapeutic Alliance in Persistent Pain
Monica Gremillion
12:15pm – 12:30pm
Speaker Panel
12:30pm – 1:45pm
Industry-Sponsored Lunch & Learn Sessions
Sessions are not eligible for CE credits
1:45pm – 2:30pm
Behavioral Pain Treatment: Evidence and Implementation for Acute and Chronic Pain
Beth Darnall
2:30pm – 3:15pm
Below the Belt to Above the Neck: Uniting Pelvic and Orofacial Pain
Sonia Bahlani
3:15pm – 3:30pm
Speaker Panel
3:30pm – 4:15pm
Coffee Break, Posters, Exhibits
4:15pm – 5:15pm
Friday Afternoon Parallel Track
Track A: Managing Awake Bruxism
Daniele Manfredini
Track B: Low Dose Naltrexone: A Game Changer for Facial Pain?
Elizabeth Hatfield
5:15pm – 6:15pm
Posters Cocktail Hour
5:45pm – 6:15pm
Mentorship Program Reception
6:30pm – 9:00pm
President’s Reception
Saturday, May 2, 2026
7:00am – 8:00am
Breakfast
7:15am – 8:00am
AAOP General Membership Meeting
8:00am – 8:10am
Research Raffle
8:10am – 8:20am
Presidential Award and Honorary Membership
8:30am – 9:15am
CGRPs Decoded: Targeted Therapies for Headache and Orofacial Pain
Peter Goadsby
9:15am – 10:00am
Beyond Wrinkles! Botulinum Neurotoxin Use in Management of TMDs and Other Pain Conditions. What is the Evidence?
Rob Delcanho
10:00am – 10:15am
Speaker Panel
10:15am – 10:45am
Coffee Break, Posters, Exhibits
10:45am – 12:30pm
Saturday Morning Parallel Tracks
Track A: The Body-Wide Impact of Orofacial Pain: From Hypermobility to Fibromyalgia
10:45am – 11:30am
The Impact of Hypermobility on Orofacial Pain
Linda Bluestein, Patricia Stott
11:30am – 12:15pm
Fibromyalgia Unraveled: A Roadmap to Assessing and Managing Complex Pain
Roland Staud
12:15pm – 12:30pm
Speaker Panel
Track B: Sleep and Pain
10:45am – 11:30am
Sleep Neurophysiology: A Therapeutic Target to Enhance Pain Recovery
Kent Werner
11:30am – 12:15pm
When Sleep and Pain Collide: Implications for Orofacial Pain Management
Linda Sangalli
12:15pm – 12:30pm
Speaker Panel
12:30pm – 1:45pm
Lunch & Learn Sessions
1:45pm – 4:15pm
Saturday Afternoon Parallel Tracks
Track A: Using Technology to Advance Learning and Diagnosis
1:45pm – 2:30pm
The AI Edge: How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming Orofacial Pain Diagnosis
Anette Vistoso Monreal
2:30pm – 3:15pm
Using Online AI Tools to Enhance Knowledge Synthesis and Learning
Justin Peacock
3:15pm – 4:00pm
Anywhere, Anytime: Telehealth Solutions for TMD Screening and Care
Emily Kahnert
4:00pm – 4:15pm
Speaker Panel
Track B: Interdisciplinary Facets of Orofacial Pain Care
1:45pm – 2:30pm
Exploring the Role of Tongue Position in Orofacial Pain
John Schmidt
2:30pm – 3:15pm
Precision & Interdisciplinary Care in Orofacial Pain
Hong Chen
3:15pm – 4:00pm
Functional Nutrition in Orofacial Pain
Sarah Geha
4:00pm – 4:15pm
Speaker Panel
4:15pm – 4:30pm
Coffee Break, Posters, Exhibits
4:30pm – 5:30pm
Precision Pain Relief: TMJ Injectables and Regenerative Therapies
Brijesh Chandwani, Ricardo Tesch
Sunday, May 3, 2026
7:15am – 8:00am
Breakfast
8:15am – 8:30am
Research Raffle
8:30am – 9:15am
Whole-Body Healing: Managing Systemic Disease in Orofacial Pain Care
Davis Thomas
9:15am – 10:00am
Running a Resilient Practice: Pearls for Today’s Orofacial Pain Clinician
Nojan Bakhtiari
10:00am – 10:45am
Panel Discussion: What’s Next for Orofacial Pain
10:45am – 11:45am
Oral Abstract Presentations, Poster Awards
11:45am – 12:00pm
Closing Remarks and Preview of AAOP 2027
Isabel Moreno Hay, Elizabeth Hatfield
Orofacial Pain Essentials: A Powerful Primer for Dentists
8:30am – 4:30pm | Course Director: Sowmya Ananthan
Early Rate: $500 | Regular Rate: $600
Build a strong foundation in diagnosing and managing orofacial pain with this practical, fast-paced primer designed for the orofacial pain-curious. Through expert-led instruction, you’ll gain the essential knowledge and tools to better recognize, understand, and treat orofacial pain in your patients.
AAOP designates this continuing education activity for 7 credits.
Sowmya Ananthan, BDS, DMD, MSD
Dr. Sowmya Ananthan is a graduate of the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, earning both her DMD and MSD degrees there. Prior to that, she earned a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree from India. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain, the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain.
Dr. Ananthan teaches in the Division of Orofacial Pain at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, in Newark, NJ, where she supervises the residents providing clinical care to patients with complex orofacial pain problems. She is also the Assistant Program & Clinic Director of the Post-Graduate Orofacial Pain Program.
She treats patients at the Rutgers Health faculty practice in New Brunswick, NJ as well as in her private practice in Red Bank and Plainsboro, NJ.
Dr. Ananthan is an examiner with the American Board of Orofacial Pain and serves as a reviewer for many journals, in addition to being extensively published.
Her areas of research include orofacial neuropathic pain, novel therapeutic modalities such as topical medications for the treatment of neuropathic pain and TMD’s, new injection techniques such as the twin nerve block for the management of masticatory myofascial pain.
Seema Kurup, MDS, MS
Dr. Kurup is an Associate Professor and Division Chair, Oral Medicine and Orofacial Pain, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences, at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. As Course Director and one of three board certified Orofacial Pain specialists in Connecticut, she leads the academic curricula for Orofacial Pain & TMD at the school and the OFP clinical service for the school and the community. She is also the Course Director for Oral Medicine & Oral Pathology Course for Dental Hygienists at Connecticut State, Tunxis Community College, CT.
Dr. Kurup holds dual Fellowships of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain (AAOP) and American Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM) She is a Council Member of the AAOP and Chair of the Mentorship Committee of the AAOP. Dr. Kurup is an active member in 9 national/international dental and professional associations with several publications and is a peer reviewer for 10 scientific journals. Prior to coming to the US, she had an extensive career in academia and hospital settings in the specialty of Oral Medicine and General Dentistry in India, Middle East and the Far-East countries.
Dr. Kurup’s research interests are in TMD, Orofacial Pain conditions and Oral Mucosal Conditions. She has served as Subject Matter Expert in the Department of Public Health funded initiative to educate dental providers in OFP management in Connecticut and is Clinical Review Team member of the Connecticut Comprehensive Pain Center.
Alberto Malacarne, DDS, DMD
Alberto Malacarne is Program Director of the Orofacial Pain Advanced Education Program at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM) and Associate Professor in the Department of Diagnostic Sciences at TUSDM. He has a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from Universita’ degli Studi di Genova (Italy) and a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) and a fellowship in Orofacial Pain from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, and he is a diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain. He has exclusively devoted his clinical practice to orofacial pain since 2014. His career mission is to reduce the gap between dentistry and medicine through education and interprofessional collaboration.
Pratishtha Mishra, DDS
Bio coming soon
Michele Schultz-Robins, DMD
Dr. Michele A. Schultz-Robins, DMD has practiced TMD and Orofacial pain for more three decades. After balancing private practice and teaching at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, she became a full time Associate Professor in the Departments of Restorative Dentistry and Diagnostic Sciences, where she teaches and mentors students. As President of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain (AAOP), she plays a leading role in shaping the specialty’s future through awareness, research and education. She has spearheaded innovative curricula that integrate Orofacial Pain, Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD), and interdisciplinary dental care into dental education, ensuring that students and residents gain a comprehensive understanding of diagnosis and management. Dr. Schultz-Robins is also active in research, with projects focused on Orofacial Pain education and patient care models.
Julie Robinson-Smith, DDS
Bio coming soon
Fernanda Yanez, DDS, MS
Bio coming soon
Head and Neck Dissection
8:30am – 4:30pm | Course Director: Ronald Auvenshine
Early Rate: $2,200 | Regular Rate: $2,500
- Identify and describe major anatomical structures of the head and neck
- Outline the functional and clinical relevance of head and neck anatomy, including pathways of cranial nerves, vascular supply, and location of various interventional medicine locations
- Demonstrate a deeper understanding and confidence in the treatment of pain in the head and neck region
AAOP designates this continuing education activity for 7 credits.
Ronald Auvenshine, DDS, PhD
Bio coming soon
A. Dale Ehrlich, MS, DDS
A native of Wyoming, Dr. Ehrlich graduated from the University of Wyoming earning a B.S in Biology with Honors and an M.S. in Microbiology. In 1975 he was commissioned in the Navy as an Ensign under the 1925I program and graduated from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1979. In 1980 He completed a General Practice Residency (GPR) Program at Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in California. In 1985 he completed the Comprehensive Dentistry Residency program at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School (NPDS) in Bethesda Maryland. In 1991 he completed a Craniofacial Pain Fellowship at the University of Florida in Gainesville He is a Diplomate of the American Board of General Dentistry and the American Board of Orofacial Pain. He retired from Navy in 2009 and is currently the Chairman of the Comprehensive Department at Louisiana State University School of Dentistry.
Rana Almudamgha, BDS
Dr. Rana Almudamgha is a board-certified Orofacial Pain specialist and Assistant Clinical Professor at LSU School of Dentistry. She serves as Program Director of the Advanced Education Program in Orofacial Pain and Director of the LSU TMD & Orofacial Pain Clinic, both of which she co-founded. These initiatives established the first university-based orofacial pain clinic in the Deep South, expanding access to care across Louisiana and neighboring states. She developed nine postgraduate-level courses and led the residency program through CODA initial accreditation and SACSCOC approval. Her clinical and academic work focuses on temporomandibular disorders, complex orofacial pain, and interdisciplinary pain management, while actively teaching both predoctoral and postdoctoral students.
Dr. Almudamgha earned her BDS from the University of Baghdad and completed advanced training in Orofacial Pain at the University of Rochester. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain, a Fellow of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain and the International College of Dentists, and an active member of multiple professional organizations.
Above the Neck to Below the Belt: Uniting Pelvic and Orofacial Pain
Summary coming soon
Sonia Bahlani, MD
Bio coming soon
Running a Resilient Practice: Pearls for Today's Orofacial Pain Clinician
Summary coming soon
Nojan Bakhtiari, DDS
Dr. Nojan Bakhtiari, DDS, FAAOP, is a board-certified specialist in TMJ and orofacial pain, practicing at his private clinic in Midtown Manhattan. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain.
Before establishing his own practice, Dr. Bakhtiari directed the Orofacial Pain & TMJ service at Yale‑New Haven Hospital (2015-2020) and served on the faculty at University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine and Columbia University College of Dental Medicine.
With a keen interest in building resilient and sustainable private practices, Dr. Bakhtiari brings practical insights into how clinicians can thrive while delivering high-quality care. His session will explore strategies for operational efficiency, patient-centric service, and long-term practice resilience.
Seeing Pain in Action: Functional MRI & PET Imaging of Nociceptors
Summary coming soon
Sandip Biswal, MD
Bio coming soon
The Impact of Hypermobility on Orofacial Pain
Connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) profoundly influence the presentation and management of orofacial pain. These conditions are characterized by joint hypermobility, skin and tissue fragility, and impaired wound healing, which can complicate surgical care and recovery. In the orofacial region, patients may experience temporomandibular joint (TMJ) instability, chronic myofascial pain, and heightened sensitivity to dental procedures. Cervical spine instability and autonomic dysfunction may further exacerbate pain and complicate anesthesia or positioning during surgery. Central sensitization contributes to persistent pain in this population. Misdiagnosis of connective tissue disorders frequently leads to inappropriate or ineffective treatment, worsening pain and disability. Understanding the unique pathophysiology of these patients is critical for optimizing outcomes, reducing complications, and validating the lived experiences of a population that is too often dismissed. This talk will highlight practical strategies for recognition, multidisciplinary care, and tailored management of orofacial pain in EDS and related disorders.
Linda Bluestein, MD
Dr. Linda Bluestein is a leading expert in hypermobility disorders and the founder of Hypermobility MD. She also leads Bendy Bodies, a global coaching practice supporting individuals with hypermobility. Dr. Bluestein hosts the podcast Bendy Bodies with the Hypermobility MD and contributed to the book Disjointed – Navigating the Diagnosis and Management of Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders.
After earning her MD from UCLA School of Medicine, Dr. Bluestein completed an anesthesiology residency at the Mayo Clinic. She is board-certified in anesthesiology and an assistant professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
An advocate for education and research, Dr. Bluestein serves on several boards, including the Allergy and Immunology Working Group for the International Consortium on EDS and HSD. She developed the first online EDS Continuing Medical Education program and is an international speaker on pain, hypermobility, and dance medicine.
For more information, visit HypermobilityMD.com.
Patricia Stott, PT, DPT, MS, ATC, CHT
Bio coming soon
Restoring Rest: Behavioral Sleep Strategies for Chronic Orofacial Pain
Patients with chronic orofacial pain conditions often also report disrupted sleep. A growing body of research is finding that improving sleep can also improve pain, depression/anxiety symptoms, and overall quality of life in patients with chronic pain. Effective, empirically-supported psychological interventions for primary insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, recurrent nightmares, CPAP tolerance, hypersomnias, parasomnias, restless leg syndrome, and daytime fatigue can be important components of comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment plans for patients with chronic orofacial pain. In this session, the speaker will discuss key components of the most common psychological interventions for sleep and will discuss how and when orofacial pain providers should consider referring patients to such treatments.
Ian Boggero, PhD
Dr. Boggero is the Director of Psychological Services and Director of Research at the University of Kentucky Orofacial Pain Clinic. He completed his undergraduate education at UCLA and obtained his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Kentucky, with a graduate certificate in biostatistics. He did a clinical internship at the Lexington VA and after his Ph.D. he completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center where he worked with children and families with chronic pain. A practicing clinical psychologist, Dr. Boggero’s research interests are in developing brief psychological interventions for improving pain, sleep, and fatigue in patients with chronic pain. He has over 100 combined publications/presentations and over 2,000 citations, and has been invited to give talks across the country and the world on psychological management of chronic orofacial pain. Currently, he is conducting an NIH-funded randomized clinical trial to test brief psychological interventions for chronic masticatory muscle pain. He is also the chair of the Research Committee of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain and a board member of the Kentucky Psychological Association. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family, playing soccer, hiking, cooking, reading, and playing chess online.
Precision Pain Relief: TMJ Injectables and Regenerative Therapies
Summary coming soon
Brijesh Chandwani, DMD, BDS
Dr. Brijesh Chandwani is a board-certified orofacial pain specialist and Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Diagnostic Sciences at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. He completed fellowship training in temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain at Tufts and advanced acupuncture training through Harvard Medical School. In his New York–Connecticut practice, Dr. Chandwani focuses on the diagnosis and management of complex jaw and facial pain, integrating injection therapies, oral appliances, and physical medicine approaches to improve patient outcomes.
Ricardo Tesch, DDS, MS, PhD
Dr. Ricardo Tesch is an academic leader and clinician recognized for his work in Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD), chronic pain, and regenerative medicine. He earned his DDS from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, a Master’s in Head and Neck Surgery from Heliópolis Hospital in São Paulo, and a PhD in Internal Medicine from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
He is Full Professor and Vice-Dean of Research and Innovation at the Faculty of Medicine of Petrópolis/UNIFASE, where he directs the Regenerative Medicine Laboratory and coordinates the Chronic Pain Research Center. His research integrates clinical expertise with translational innovation, focusing on genetic and physiological mechanisms of pain and developing cell-based therapies for joint regeneration.
Internationally, Dr. Tesch serves as Visiting Professor at Universidad del Desarrollo in Chile and as Director of the Postgraduate Program in TMD and Orofacial Pain at Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra in the Dominican Republic.
He led the first in-human clinical trial using autologous nasal septum chondrocytes for temporomandibular joint regeneration, one of only four phase I/II cell therapy trials approved in Brazil. His work has received national recognition and funding from the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development.
Dr. Tesch also developed innovative ultrasound-guided TMJ injection techniques and co-founded the Center for Innovation, Research, and Improvement in Surgical Techniques (CIPAC-FMP/UNIFASE), where his continuing education programs have trained over 200 professionals worldwide.
A strong advocate for translational research, Dr. Tesch collaborates with international partners to expand therapeutic options, improve healthcare access, and foster technological innovation in Brazil’s Health Industrial Economic Complex.
Precision & Interdisciplinary Care in Orofacial Pain
Summary coming soon
Hong Chen, DDS, MS
Bio coming soon
Behavioral Pain Treatment: Evidence and Implementation for Acute and Chronic Pain
Best practices pain treatment integrates behavioral and psychological approaches. However, multisession behavioral treatments are often inaccessible or infeasible for patients. Empower Relief, a 1-session intervention that rapidly equips individuals with effective pain relief skills, offers a scalable and evidence-based solution. This session will review efficacy data from surgical and chronic pain research and implementation of intervention across practice settings and professional disciplines
Beth Darnall, PhD
Beth Darnall, PhD is Professor of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine and Director of the Stanford Pain Relief Innovations Lab. A psychologist-scientist, she leads NIH and PCORI-funded national studies on scalable behavioral analgesic interventions and patient-centered opioid reduction.
Her work centers on developing, investigating and disseminating solutions that expand access to evidence-based behavioral pain care across populations. She created Empowered Relief® a 1-session group intervention that rapidly equips individuals with effective pain relief skills for acute, chronic, and post-surgical pain. Empowered Relief® is delivered by certified instructors in 30 countries and in 8 languages.
She has three times briefed the U.S. Congress and the FDA on patient-centered pain care and opioid stewardship. She was a scientific member of the NIH Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee (2020-2025), served on the CDC Opioid Workgroup (2021), is Chief Science Advisor for AppliedVR, and is author of four books for patients and clinicians. She has keynoted national pain society conferences in Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Switzerland and the U.K. In 2018 she spoke on the psychology of pain relief at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Whole-Body Healing: Managing Systemic Disease in Orofacial Pain Care
Lack of recognition of co-morbid systemic conditions leads to failure of management of OFP and results in sub-optimal control of pain. This course is intended to refresh and review the clinician’s knowledge in Systemic conditions that robustly affect Pain management. We will also review the nuances in the OFP field as related to the succinct management of Pain
Davis Thomas, BDS, DDS, MSD, MSc Med, MSc
Dr. Davis Thomas was born and brought up in Kerala, India. After completing his BSc course in Chemistry, he completed his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) from KMC, Manipal, India. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and one year of Advanced Education in General Dentistry from NYU. While in private practice, he then went on to further his education in the following twenty years to include multiple master’s degrees including orofacial pain (MSD from Rutgers University), headache pain management (MSc from University of Edinburgh), and sleep medicine (MSc Med from University of Sydney). As an assoc. clinical professor (14 years), Dr. Thomas now continues his research in Pain Management at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine and Eastman Dental Center, Rochester, New York. The experience and education Dr. Thomas has acquired over the years has allowed him to lecture extensively all around the world. He has been a commissioned officer in the United Sates Army since 2001. He also has multiple faculty appointments in national and international hospitals and universities. Currently, he is Associate Professor at Rutgers Dental School, NJ, Rochester Eastman Center, NY, and Univ of Perth, Australia. He is also director for OFP/TMD/Sleep medicine courses for Roseman University/Smile USA Academy. He has scores of peer reviewed publications and multiple chapters in textbooks. He is also the Special Guest editor for multiple Special editions for JADA, DCNA and MCNA. He currently practices, teaches and researches exclusively in Pain, Orofacial Pain, Sleep Medicine/Dental Sleep Medicine and Pharmacology. He is also currently pursuing his PhD in Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics.
Hidden Connections: How Systemic Disease Relates to Orofacial Pain
Course Director: Davis Thomas
Early Rate: $500 | Regular Rate: $600
Learning Objectives
- Identify the most important systems and systemic conditions that affect orofacial pain management
- Demonstrate a succinct work up of OFP cases with regards to systemic conditions, including lab tests and imaging
- Through case-based learning, outline when systemic factors should be suspected and explored
Course Description
Orofacial pain entities in general, and TMDs in particular, are almost always accompanied by systemic comorbidities and other co-existing conditions. Orofacial pain and TMD-related pain can also be a symptom of systemic conditions. More than 80% of individuals with OFP/TMD also suffer from a comorbid systemic condition. These systemic co-morbidities have immense potential to aggravate and perpetuate OFP/TMD pain. Further, these conditions and factors make the pain refractory to conventional modalities of orofacial pain management. Failure to recognize and address these systemic factors invariably results in suboptimal OFP/TMD pain management. There is a significant lack of OFP-specific literature in this regard. Lack of knowledge and delineation of the conditioning systemic factors may result in wrong diagnosis, treatment plan, and unnecessary/irreversible treatments for the patient.
AAOP designates this continuing education activity for 7 credits.
Davis Thomas, BDS, DDS, MSD, MSc Med, MSc
Dr. Davis Thomas was born and brought up in Kerala, India. After completing his BSc course in Chemistry, he completed his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) from KMC, Manipal, India. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and one year of Advanced Education in General Dentistry from NYU. While in private practice, he then went on to further his education in the following twenty years to include multiple master’s degrees including orofacial pain (MSD from Rutgers University), headache pain management (MSc from University of Edinburgh), and sleep medicine (MSc Med from University of Sydney). As an assoc. clinical professor (14 years), Dr. Thomas now continues his research in Pain Management at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine and Eastman Dental Center, Rochester, New York. The experience and education Dr. Thomas has acquired over the years has allowed him to lecture extensively all around the world. He has been a commissioned officer in the United Sates Army since 2001. He also has multiple faculty appointments in national and international hospitals and universities. Currently, he is Associate Professor at Rutgers Dental School, NJ, Rochester Eastman Center, NY, and Univ of Perth, Australia. He is also director for OFP/TMD/Sleep medicine courses for Roseman University/Smile USA Academy. He has scores of peer reviewed publications and multiple chapters in textbooks. He is also the Special Guest editor for multiple Special editions for JADA, DCNA and MCNA. He currently practices, teaches and researches exclusively in Pain, Orofacial Pain, Sleep Medicine/Dental Sleep Medicine and Pharmacology. He is also currently pursuing his PhD in Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics.
Beyond Wrinkles! Botulinum Neurotoxin Use in Management of TMDs and Other Pain Conditions. What is the Evidence?
Historically, botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) was used in the treatment of disorders associated with muscle hyperactivity and in the cosmetic arena. At first anecdotally but then confirmed in clinical trials, patients treated with BoNT reported analgesic effects. The presumed mechanisms of action of the analgesic effects of BoNT will be discussed, along with the clinical use and current scientific evidence base for treatment of TMDs, bruxism, and various neuropathic orofacial pain conditions.
Rob Delcanho, BDSc, MS, FFPMANZCA, FICD
Professor Rob Delcanho originally graduated in Dentistry in 1978 from the University of Western Australia, and entered general dental practice. From 1991-93 he was in the first cohort to complete the 2 year Orofacial Pain Residency Program and Masters degree in Oral Biology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His thesis investigated blood flow characteristics in chronic muscle pain.
Upon returning to Australia, he commenced practice restricted to Orofacial Pain, Temporomandibular Disorders and Dental Sleep Medicine. Rob has since lectured at local, national and international based conferences on topics related to orofacial pain and dental sleep medicine. Rob is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain, and a Fellow of the Faculty of Pain Medicine, ANZ College of Anesthetists. He is a past President of the ANZ Academy of Orofacial Pain, and a past Fellow of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain. He also served on the Editorial Committee of the Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache.
Rob has published numerous scientific papers in peer reviewed journals, invited to write textbook chapters, and acted as expert reviewer of submissions to a number of peer reviewed scientific journals. He is appointed a Clinical Associate Professor at the Dental School of University of Western Australia, Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor, Medical School, Sydney University, and Adjunct Professor in Orofacial Pain Medicine at the School of Medicine, Notre Dame University. He continues teaching at both undergraduate and postdoctoral levels and was appointed by the Dean to a team developing a syllabus leading to a MScMed Degree in Orofacial Pain at Sydney University, where he also continues teaching orofacial pain.
Functional Nutrition in Orofacial Pain Management
Summary coming soon
Sarah Geha, MS, CNS, LDN
Bio coming soon
CGRPs Decoded: Targeted Therapies for Headache and Orofacial Pain
Summary coming soon
Peter Goadsby, MBBS, MD, PhD
Bio coming soon
The Power of Partnership: Building Therapeutic Alliance in Persistent Pain
Summary coming soon
Monica Gremillion, PhD
Monica Gremillion, PhD, is a pediatric psychologist who collaborates within interdisciplinary pain treatment teams in both outpatient clinics and intensive pain treatment programs. Committed to enhancing the health and quality of life for patients with chronic pain, Dr. Gremillion’s clinical work and research prioritize elevating patient voices and fostering partnerships in pain care. Her clinical research specifically targets reducing perceptions of pain dismissal and cultural conceptualizations of pain. Alongside her clinical practice, Dr. Gremillion serves as the Associate Director of the Pediatric Psychology Practicum Program, where she oversees the training of graduate-level psychology students, provides supervision, contributes to curriculum development for didactics, and leads program evaluation efforts. She has spearheaded a workgroup dedicated to developing a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative for psychology residents, with the goal of integrating awareness of individual and cultural differences into professional settings. Dr. Gremillion finds mentoring trainees to be profoundly rewarding within the realm of academic medicine, recognizing its importance in cultivating a new generation of pain scholars. She serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the US Association for the Study of Pain in their clinical care/patient advocacy seat.
Track B: Low Dose Naltrexone: A Game Changer for Facial Pain?
This session will review emerging evidence supporting LDN’s anti-inflammatory and neuromodulatory effects, highlight clinical applications for conditions such as burning mouth syndrome, trigeminal neuralgia, and temporomandibular disorders, and feature real-world cases illustrating its practical use. Whether you’re looking for new options for refractory pain or just want to stay ahead of the trend, join us to explore LDN’s promise, limitations, and future directions in the field.
Elizabeth Hatfield, DDS
Dr. Elizabeth Hatfield is a board-certified orofacial pain specialist and Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain (DABOP), with deep clinical and academic expertise in the diagnosis and management of complex orofacial pain conditions. Her areas of focus include temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), neuropathic facial pain, headache disorders, and sleep-related breathing conditions with a special passion for education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
A faculty member at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry since 2020, Dr. Hatfield currently serves as Program Director of the TMD & Orofacial Pain Residency. She is committed to advancing the field through evidence-based, patient-centered care and a strong emphasis on interprofessional collaboration. Her research interests focus on innovative management strategies for orofacial pain and the power of interprofessional education to improve patient outcomes.
Whether she’s in the clinic, the classroom, or in her favorite Ann Arbor, MI, Dr. Hatfield continues to advocate for advancing orofacial pain as a vital and evolving field within healthcare.
Telehealth for Orofacial Pain: Effectively Expanding Access to Care
8:30am – 12:00pm | Course Director: Emily Kahnert
Early Rate: $300 | Regular Rate: $375
You can also register for both this course and “Vestibular Basics in Orofacial Pain” for one registration fee. The early rate for this package is $500 and the regular rate is $600.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe key procedural adaptations required to successfully implement telehealth care
- Demonstrate screening techniques for telehealth assessment of Temporomandibular Disorders
- Implement patient education strategies to successfully manage a treatment plan via virtual care delivery.
Course Description:
Learn how telehealth is reshaping access to orofacial pain care in this practical, forward-looking course. The improved convenience and proven effectiveness of telehealth for this patient population has demonstrated that patients want and will comply with this method of care delivery. Evidence-based strategies and tools will equip participants to virtually deliver effective, patient-centered care – expanding your reach and impact beyond the clinic walls.
Funding sources: Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, American Academy of Orofacial Pain, University of Minnesota Graduate School
AAOP designates this continuing education activity for 3.5 credits.
Emily Kahnert, PT, DPT, PhD, CCTT
Emily Kahnert, PT, DPT, PhD, CCTT is a Physical Therapist and clinician scientist in the Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD), Orofacial Pain and Dental Sleep Medicine Clinic at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and UMN Physical Therapy Program. Her 20 years of clinical practice have been exclusively focused on treating TMD and Orofacial pain in interdisciplinary settings. She earned her Certified Cervical and Temporomandibular Therapist designation through the Physical Therapy Board of Craniofacial and Cervical Therapeutics in 2019 and is part of the TMD PT Clinical Practice Guideline development group. Her PhD work examined telerehabilitation effectiveness for individuals with TMD, supported by the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, the Academy of Orthopaedic PT, the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, and the University of Minnesota Graduate school.
Anywhere, Anytime: Telehealth Solutions for TMD Screening and Care
Telehealth is reshaping access to orofacial pain care with improved convenience and demonstrated effectiveness for this patient population. Evidence-based strategies will be discussed and tools presented to equip participants to virtually deliver effective, patient-centered care – expanding your reach and impact beyond the clinic walls.
Emily Kahnert, PT, DPT, PhD, CCTT
Emily Kahnert, PT, DPT, PhD, CCTT, is a physical therapist and clinician scientist in the Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD), Orofacial Pain and Dental Sleep Medicine Clinic at the University of Minnesota (UMN) School of Dentistry and adjunct faculty in the UMN Division of Physical Therapy. Her 20 years of clinical practice have been exclusively focused on treating TMD and orofacial pain in interdisciplinary settings and her research interests include classification of orofacial pain, telerehabilitation and TMJ biomechanics.
Keynote: A National Agenda: NASEM and the Future of Orofacial Pain Management
Summary coming soon
Sean Mackey, MD, PhD
Sean Mackey, MD, PhD is the Redlich Professor and Chief of the Division of Pain Medicine at Stanford University, where he leads the Stanford Pain Management Center, one of the nation’s premier programs for comprehensive, multidisciplinary pain care. A physician-scientist, Dr. Mackey leads research at the intersection of pain, neuroscience, and technology, with a focus on developing innovative approaches to assess and treat chronic pain. His work spans from real-world data science to biomarker discovery, leveraging AI and learning health systems to optimize patient care. Dr. Mackey is the author of over 300 journal articles and book chapters in addition to numerous national and international lectures. He has served as past president of the American Academy of Pain Medicine and has advised federal agencies on national pain policy. He was Co-Chair of the HHS/NIH National Pain Strategy (NPS), an effort to establish a national health strategy for pain care, education and research. For more information: https://drseanmackey.com
Breakfast Session: How to Write and Review a Research Article
The progress and dissemination of scientific knowledge rely on many communication strategies, amongst which medical publications represent the core basis. In turn, the entire process leading from the conceptualization to the writing of a scientific article relies on some important methodological basis that should be respected by the authors, and on the volunteer peer review system that warrants fair scrutiny of the derived manuscript.
In recent years, two phenomena have undermined the backbone of the publication system: 1. The abuse and misuse of systematic review papers, which are often performed by dedicated groups of authors without any clinical and primary research expertise, thus losing their role of currency value atop of the pyramid of evidence, and 2. The proliferation of open access-only journals, which were born in the name of open science but in most cases were revealed as predatory strategies to make a group of authors pay for publishing an article that would have otherwise been difficult to publish in mainstream journals. The paradox of the system is that both systematic reviews and open access papers are, for obvious reasons, highly downloaded, contributing to create a vicious cycle of artificially created high metrics values for authors and journals.
Together with strengthening messages of publishing ethics, the most valid strategy to counterpart this decline of quality is the dissemination of educational messages about how to write, read and review a scientific article. In the world of orofacial pain, the process is made complex by the variety of factors to take into proper considerations, which are surely more numerous than other dental disciplines that are prevalently focused on technical protocols.
In this session, the basis to create a project academy for being an effective writer and peer reviewer in cooperation with the CRANIO: The Journal of Craniomandibular and Sleep Practice, official journal of the AAOP, will be discussed.
Daniele Manfredini, DDS, MSc, PhD
Prof. Daniele Manfredini received his DDS from the University of Pisa, Italy in 1999, a MSc in Occlusion and Craniomandibular Disorders in 2001 from the same University, a PhD in Dentistry from the ACTA Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and a Post-Graduation Specialty in Orthodontics from the University of Ferrara, Italy. He achieved the Diplomate Status from the American Board of Orofacial Pain in 2021.
From 2006 to 2016, Daniele Manfredini has been Assistant Professor at the TMD Clinic, Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Padova, Italy.
Since 2017, Daniele Manfredini has served as Professor at the School of Dentistry, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Italy, where he holds teachings in Oral Physiology and in Clinical Gnathology. He is currently the Director of the Orofacial Pain Unit.
Daniele Manfredini authored more than 330 papers in the field of bruxism, orofacial pain, and temporomandibular disorders in journals indexed in the Medline database (Scopus H-index=65).
He is Member and Coordinator of the Bruxism Consensus Panel within the International Association for Dental Research, which works on the updated definition and classification strategies for bruxism and for which he currently serves in the INfORM Board of Directors.
Since January 1st, 2024, Daniele Manfredini is the Editor-in-Chief of CRANIO: The Journal of Craniomandibular and Sleep Practice.
Track A: Managing Awake Bruxism
The evolution of the bruxism definition was based on the increasing knowledge about the etiology and consequences of different jaw muscle activities as well as on the need to provide a homogeneous conceptual framework for assessing such activities over a 24-hour timespan, possibly for multiple days. Bruxism activities may indeed fluctuate over time, and this complicates the evaluation of the potential clinical impact. With time, due to poor knowledge on its epidemiology, the need to focus on AB as a complement of sleep studies emerged.
According to the updated bruxism definition, awake bruxism (AB) is described as a masticatory muscle activity during wakefulness that is characterized by repetitive or sustained tooth contact and/or by bracing or thrusting of the mandible and is not a movement disorder.
Defining clinically oriented research routes to implement knowledge on awake bruxism is of paramount importance for a better comprehension of the full bruxism spectrum.
In this lecture, participants will receive an overview of the current assessment and management strategies for awake bruxism behaviors, which are mostly related with the psychological component and the related overuse of jaw muscles to cope with stress and anxiety. For this reason, the approaches to the management of awake bruxism overlap with the conservative strategies for managing “temporomandibular disorders”, including ecological momentary assessment and the derived cognitive-behavioral approaches.
Daniele Manfredini, DDS, MSc, PhD
Prof. Daniele Manfredini received his DDS from the University of Pisa, Italy in 1999, a MSc in Occlusion and Craniomandibular Disorders in 2001 from the same University, a PhD in Dentistry from the ACTA Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and a Post-Graduation Specialty in Orthodontics from the University of Ferrara, Italy. He achieved the Diplomate Status from the American Board of Orofacial Pain in 2021.
From 2006 to 2016, Daniele Manfredini has been Assistant Professor at the TMD Clinic, Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Padova, Italy.
Since 2017, Daniele Manfredini has served as Professor at the School of Dentistry, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Italy, where he holds teachings in Oral Physiology and in Clinical Gnathology. He is currently the Director of the Orofacial Pain Unit.
Daniele Manfredini authored more than 330 papers in the field of bruxism, orofacial pain, and temporomandibular disorders in journals indexed in the Medline database (Scopus H-index=65).
He is Member and Coordinator of the Bruxism Consensus Panel within the International Association for Dental Research, which works on the updated definition and classification strategies for bruxism and for which he currently serves in the INfORM Board of Directors.
Since January 1st, 2024, Daniele Manfredini is the Editor-in-Chief of CRANIO: The Journal of Craniomandibular and Sleep Practice.
The AI Edge: How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming Orofacial Pain Diagnosis
This session will explore how AI is revolutionizing orofacial pain diagnosis and treatment through integrated clinical technologies. Attendees will discover how a structured note-taking system combined with AI algorithms provides real-time diagnostic guidance while supporting clinicians during patient encounters. This approach transforms clinical documentation into actionable intelligence that integrates seamlessly with multi-site patient-reported outcomes tracking. This integration enables identification of distinct OFP phenotypes and prediction of treatment responses through advanced analytics. Participants will learn practical applications including early detection of treatment non-responders, development of personalized intervention strategies based on patient profiles, and implementation of evidence-based treatment selection. By connecting point-of-care AI diagnostics with longitudinal patient monitoring, these systems create a comprehensive framework for precision medicine that moves orofacial pain management from reactive care to predictive, personalized treatment approaches that improve patient outcomes.
Anette Vistoso Monreal, DDS, MS
Dr. Vistoso Monreal received her DDS from Universidad de Chile, an Advanced Program Certificate in Prosthodontics from Universidad del Desarrollo, earned a Master of Science degree in Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine with an Advanced Program Certificate in Orofacial Pain from USC, and took part in an additional Advanced Clinical Training in Oral Medicine at UCSF. She is an Orofacial Pain Board-Certified specialist and Assistant Professor of Clinical Dentistry at the Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine Center, Director of OralCare Precancer and Pain Clinic, Director of Distance Learning Programs, and Director of the Orofacial Pain Certificate Program at the University of Southern California. She serves as the secretary/treasurer of the American Board of Orofacial Pain. Her research is focused on oral precancer and precision orofacial sciences with the application of Artificial intelligence in the subdisciplines of orofacial pain and oral medicine.
MRI for the Future: Imaging Strategies to Optimize Orofacial Pain Diagnosis
Summary coming soon
Donald Nixdorf, DDS, MS
Bio coming soon
Botulinum Toxin in Orofacial Pain Management
8:30am – 4:30pm | Course Directors: Donald Nixdorf, Isabel Moreno Hay
Early Rate: $500 | Regular Rate: $600
Discover how botulinum toxin is transforming orofacial pain management. This forward-looking course blends science and technique to help you harness this innovative therapy and expand your clinical toolkit.
AAOP designates this continuing education activity for 7 credits.
Donald Nixdorf, DDS, MS
Bio coming soon
Isabel Moreno Hay, DDS, PhD
Dr. Moreno Hay is currently the Division Chief and Program Director of Orofacial Pain at the College of Dentistry, University of Kentucky. She is an Associate Professor at the College of Dentistry, University of Kentucky. She obtained her dental degree from the University Complutense of Madrid, School of Dentistry (Spain). Dr. Moreno graduated from the 2-year CODA approved program in Orofacial Pain at the University of Kentucky in 2013. She became a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain in 2015, and Diplomate of the American Board Dental Sleep Medicine. She is currently the President Elect of the AAOP and Chair of the Scientific Committee of the SEDCYDO. She is also an active member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. She has published several research articles in peer reviewed journals, book chapters, and has lectured in scientific national and international meetings.
Matthew Simon, DDS, MS
Dr. Simon, a native of Phoenix, Arizona, completed his Doctorate of Dental Surgery training at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine in 2014 and General Practice Residency at Naval Medical Center San Diego in 2015. In 2023, he completed residency in Orofacial Pain at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School, where he earned a Master of Science from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). He holds the distinction of being a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain.
Currently, Dr. Simon practices as the sole orofacial pain provider at Naval Medical Center San Diego. He also serves as an Assistant Professor at USUHS, where he instructs General Practice Residency and Advanced Education in General Dentistry residents, as well as faculty in the diagnosis and management of chronic head and neck pain. Since 2014, he has been a commissioned officer in the United States Navy, serving alongside Sailors and Marines across various platforms, including USS George H.W. Bush and Naval Support Activity Bahrain.
John Dinan, DMD, MS
Dr. Dinan graduated from University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – New Jersey Dental School in 2013. Upon graduating from dental school, he entered active duty military service as a dentist in the United States Air Force. He completed a three-year Orofacial Pain residency at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School in 2020. Since separating from the military in 2023, Dr. Dinan has worked as an Orofacial Pain Specialist at New York TMJ and Orofacial Pain’s Manhattan and Springfield, NJ, offices. He is also a volunteer clinical instructor at the General Practice Residency in Dentistry at Weill Cornell Medical Center. He is a Diplomate of both the American Board of Orofacial Pain and the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine.
Keynote: 50th Anniversary of the AAOP: The Journey from Gnathology to Orofacial Pain
Dentistry has long been defined by the restoration and replacement of teeth, but today’s dental professional carries a far broader responsibility in patient care. This presentation traces the 90-year journey that led to the recognition of orofacial pain as a dental specialty, blending historical milestones with personal insights from more than 50 years of clinical and academic experience. Participants will discover how the orofacial pain dentist plays a vital role in improving patients’ quality of life and redefining what it means to be a true healthcare provider.
Jeffrey Okeson, DMD
Dr. Okeson is Professor and Dean of the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. He founded the College’s Orofacial Pain Program in 1977. Dr. Okeson has more than 265 publications in the area of TM disorders and orofacial pain. He has written two major textbooks translated into fourteen foreign languages. Dr. Okeson is past president of the AAOP and a founding diplomate and twice president of the ABOP. He has presented more than 1350 invited lectures on TMD and orofacial pain in all 50 states and in 61 different countries. He received “The International Dentist of the Year Award” from the Academy of Dentistry International in recognition of his worldwide efforts in providing education in the area of temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain.
Oral Abstract Presentations
Presentations to be announced in March 2026.
For details on how to submit abstracts to be considered for poster or oral presentations, click here.
Panel Discussion: What's Next for Orofacial Pain?
Summary coming soon
Using Online AI Tools to Enhance Knowledge Synthesis and Learning
AI technologies accelerate learning for orofacial pain specialists by creating a wide range of personalized educational content, from targeted self-assessments and case studies to interactive simulations. These tools help practitioners stay current by summarizing complex research and generating study materials, providing a dynamic and efficient way to synthesize new knowledge and streamline continuous education.
Justin Peacock, MD, PhD
LtCol Justin G. Peacock, MD, PhD, is the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine Associate Dean for Research and an Assistant Professor of Radiology. He also serves as the Associate Program Director of the Radiology Residency at the National Capital Consortium. He came to USU after serving as the Nuclear Medicine Fellowship Program Director and Assistant Program Director of quality improvement and patient safety in the Diagnostic Radiology residency in the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium.
LtCol Peacock graduated with a BS in Biochemistry with Honors from Brigham Young University in 2004. He then entered Yale University, where he obtained a PhD in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry in 2010. He received his MD in 2014 from the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine. Dr. Peacock went on to a Transitional Year internship, Diagnostic Radiology residency, and Nuclear Medicine fellowship in the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium.
LtCol Peacock is passionate about integrating technological advances in medical education. He employed interactive gamification in Radiology and medical education, for which he received the 2023 USU Teaching with Technology award. Together with colleagues from the Center for Health Professions Education, he revised the Teaching with Technology Seminar course to include AI and co-developed a brand new course on AI in health professions education. He has published articles on the application of generative AI technologies in medical education in MedEdPublish and Military Medicine. As the School of Medicine Dean’s Fellow, LtCol Peacock developed a series of six faculty development courses on AI application in medical education, administration, and research.
When Sleep and Pain Collide: Implications for Orofacial Pain Management
This session will examine the complex relationship between sleep and orofacial pain with a focus on how sleep disturbances and chronic pain reinforce one another.
Attendees will learn about sleep physiology, common sleep disorders seen in patients with orofacial pain, and the bidirectional link between poor sleep and pain. Special attention will be given to the impact of medications – both those commonly prescribed for orofacial pain and those used for comorbid medical conditions – on sleep, highlighting their potential to either worsen or improve sleep. The session will conclude with a discussion of treatment strategies and personalized approaches aimed at optimizing sleep and pain outcomes.
Linda Sangalli, DDS, MS, PhD
Dr. Linda Sangalli, DDS, MS, PhD, is a dentist as training (University of Brescia, Italy), with a specialization in Orthodontics and a Ph.D. in Technology for Health (Italy). After working for a decade as a specialist orthodontist, she moved to the University of Kentucky to complete a master of science in Orofacial Pain, along with a Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain.
Currently, Dr. Sangalli works as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Midwestern University, College of Dental Medicine – Illinois, where she is responsible for teaching orofacial pain to predoctoral students and manages patients with orofacial pain. She is also attending physician at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago.
Her research centers on non-pharmacological strategies for managing orofacial musculoskeletal pain, with a particular focus on the relationship between sleep and chronic pain. She also investigates how social determinants, including sex differences, influence orofacial pain. For her research, she received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIDCR), ADEAGies Foundation, American Headache Society, American Academy of Orofacial Pain, International Association for the Study of Pain, International Association for Dental Research, and American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. She also published over 70 peer-reviewed scientific articles all in the past 5 years and contributed to numerous books and national presentations on orofacial pain.
Exploring the Role of Tongue Position in Orofacial Pain
Summary coming soon
John Schmidt, PhD, MS
Bio coming soon
Fibromyalgia Unraveled: A Roadmap to Assessing and Managing Complex Pain
Summary coming soon
Roland Staud, MD
Bio coming soon
Ultrasound Guided Injections for the TMJ - Morning & Afternoon Sessions
8:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 4:30pm | Course Directors: Ricardo Tesch, Aurelio Alonso
Early Rate: $1,000 | Regular Rate: $1,200
Waitlist for AM Session | Waitlist for PM Session [Both sessions are now full]
Learning Objectives
- Treatment Selection: Identify the indications and contraindications for lysis and lavage therapies, as well as intra-articular injections, in patients with TMJ osteoarthritis.
- Blind Techniques: Demonstrate the techniques for performing blind arthrocentesis and intra-articular injections using anatomical landmarks in the upper TMJ compartment.
- Ultrasound Guidance: Perform arthrocentesis and intra-articular injections in the lower TMJ compartment using ultrasound guidance, including proper probe manipulation and interpretation of ultrasound images.
Course Description:
When conservative therapies are not sufficient for management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis, minimally invasive procedures – such as joint lysis and lavage via arthrocentesis, followed by intra-articular injections of biologically active products – can provide substantial benefits. Biologics have shown efficacy in controlling tissue damage and alleviating associated symptoms, offering hope for improved quality of life for affected individuals.
While these procedures have historically relied on anatomical landmarks for guidance, recent advances in ultrasound-guided techniques have helped transform the landscape of TMJ interventions. By enabling real-time visualization, ultrasound guidance greatly enhances precision and effectiveness of procedures – improving patient outcomes and minimizing procedural risks.
Despite the potential benefits of ultrasound-guided procedures, teaching these advanced techniques presents unique challenges. Unlike other medical interventions that can be easily simulated, TMJ procedures require a deep understanding of the joint’s complex anatomy and pathology. Furthermore, opportunities for hands-on practice in clinical settings are often limited, making it crucial to provide extensive training to ensure competency.
To overcome these challenges, this workshop aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice by offering participants comprehensive training in minimally invasive TMJ procedures, with a particular focus on ultrasound guidance. Participants can acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to confidently integrate these techniques clinically thanks to this course’s blend of didactic lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises.
AAOP designates this continuing education activity for 3.5 credits.
Ricardo Tesch, DDS, MS, PhD
Professor | UNIFASE/Faculdade de Medicina de Petropolis
Dr. Ricardo Tesch is a distinguished academic and clinician with a respected career in Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) and Regenerative Medicine. He earned his DDS from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (1992), a Master’s in Head and Neck Surgery from Heliópolis Hospital/São Paulo (2003), and a PhD in Internal Medicine from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (2018). His work seamlessly integrates clinical expertise with innovative research, focusing on chronic pain management and joint tissue regeneration.
Dr. Tesch is a Full Professor and Vice-Dean of Research and Innovation at the Faculty of Medicine of Petrópolis/UNIFASE, where he also serves as Director of the Regenerative Medicine Laboratory and Coordinator of the Chronic Pain Research Center. His research interests include exploring the genetic and physiopathological mechanisms of chronic pain and developing innovative cell-based therapies for joint regeneration.
He is also a Visiting Professor at Universidad del Desarrollo in Chile, where he consults for the Postgraduate Program in TMD and Orofacial Pain, and at Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra in the Dominican Republic, where he is the Director of the Postgraduate Program in TMD and Orofacial Pain.
Dr. Tesch is a leader in clinical research in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) regenerative medicine, having pioneered the first in-human clinical trial using autologous nasal septum chondrocytes for TMJ regeneration. His academic contributions include numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals, advancing the fields of diagnostics and therapeutic interventions for TMD.
As a passionate advocate for translational research, Dr. Tesch collaborates with national and international institutions to improve healthcare outcomes. His work has earned recognition and support, including highly competitive government funding for the development of an advanced therapeutic platform for joint diseases. This funding supports the creation of technological solutions aimed at reducing healthcare vulnerabilities, increasing access to care, and promoting technological and productive autonomy within Brazil’s Health Industrial Economic Complex.
Aurelio Alonso, DDS, PhD, MS
Associate Professor | Duke University, Department of Anesthesiology
Dr. Alonso is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at Duke University School of Medicine and Director of Orofacial Pain at Duke Innovative Pain Therapies. Dr. Alonso is an internationally respected Orofacial Pain specialist and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain and Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain.
Dr. Alonso provides patients with innovative pain therapies as a member of the Center for Translational Pain Medicine (CTPM) team. The CTPM further expands Duke’s existing clinical and research program in innovative pain therapies by bringing together leading basic scientists, clinicians, and clinical researchers. Dr. Alonso shares with the CTPM team the common core mission of unraveling the causes of painful conditions to better improve patient care. Dr. Alonso’s focus area includes Orofacial Pain, Temporomandibular Disorders, Primary Headaches, Neuropathic Orofacial Pain, and Dental Sleep Medicine.
Dr. Alonso received his DDS degree from the University of Ribeirao Preto (UNAERP), Brazil and a certificate in Prosthodontics from Sao Paulo State University (UNESP Araraquara, Brazil), followed by a Fellowship in Orofacial Pain at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and a residency in Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain from the University of Minnesota, where he also received a MS in Dentistry and PhD in Oral Biology.
Dr. Daniela Vivaldi, DDS
Dr. Vivaldi is a Clinical Associate in the Department of Anesthesiology at Duke University School of Medicine and practices full-time at Duke Innovative Pain Therapies, where she specializes in the treatment of patients with orofacial pain and obstructive sleep apnea. With expertise in Orofacial Pain since 2003, she is a Diplomate of both the American Board of Orofacial Pain and the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, as well as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain.
Dr. Vivaldi received her DDS from the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil. She completed her residency in Orofacial Pain at the Adams School of Dentistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, followed by a Clinical Pharmacology Postdoctoral Training Program through a collaboration between Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Dr. Vivaldi is also an active collaborator with researchers at the Center for Translational Pain Medicine (CTPM) in the Department of Anesthesiology at Duke. She is currently engaged in a study investigating potential mechanistic differences between TMD cases and TMD-free controls, utilizing scRNA-seq methods on both peripheral blood and masseter biopsy tissue.
Welcome to AAOP 2026
8:00am – 8:05am
Opening Remarks
Michele Schultz-Robins
8:05am – 8:15am
Introduction of New AAOP Fellows
Michele Schultz-Robins
8:15am – 8:20am
Introduction to New CCTTs
Mike Karegeannes
8:20am – 8:25am
Research Fund Update – $50k for 50 Years
Beth Groenke
8:25am – 8:30am
AAOP at 50: Honoring Past Presidents
Nojan Bakhtiari, James Hawkins
Sleep Neurophysiology: A Therapeutic Target to Enahnce Pain Recovery
Summary coming soon
Kent Werner, MD, PhD
Bio coming soon
Vestibular Basics in Orofacial Pain
1:00pm – 4:30pm | Course Director: Susan Whitney
Early Rate: $300 | Regular Rate: $375
You can also register for both this course and “Telehealth for Orofacial Pain: Effectively Expanding Access to Care” for one registration fee. The early rate for this package is $500 and the regular rate is $600.
Learning Objectives
- Ask 5 questions that can assist with identifying BPPV in their clinic
- Identify nystagmus seen in BPPV when the person is reclined in the dentail chair
- Demonstrate how to optimally position a person with active BPPV during a dental procedure
Course Description
This session will focus on learning the signs and symptoms of persons presenting with vestibular disorders, including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). BPPV can present as a challenge to oral hygiene and can be seen when reclining a dental chair backwards. Strategies to recognize BPPV plus how to manage a person with active BPPV who comes to the clinic will be described. Methods to minimize symptom provocation during dental procedures will be emphasized. BPPV may also be caused by invasive dental procedures that vibrate the skull. Prevention of falls will be discussed plus how to manage persons with additional vestibular dysfunction will be discussed. Lecture, demonstration, and videos will be utilized to illustrate important clinical scenarios.
AAOP designates this continuing education activity for 3.5 credits.
Susan Whitney, DPT, PhD, MCS, ATC, FAPTA
Dr. Whitney received her PhD in motor development/motor learning from the University of Pittsburgh and her professional physical therapy education from Temple University. She is a professor in the Departments of Physical Therapy and Otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Whitney is supported by the Department of Defense to develop technology for persons with vestibular disorders and mild brain injury. She has authored or coauthored 310 articles on Medline, received the APTA John Maley Award, and was awarded the Hallpike-Nylen award, which recognizes outstanding clinical research achievement in vestibular medicine by the Barany Society.
