The Orofacial Pain Specialist

Areas of Clinical Specialty

Orofacial Pain Specialists are trained in the diagnosis and evidence-based management of:

  • Temporomandibular joint disorders of muscular, skeletal, or cartilaginous origin
  • Primary headaches, including migraine, trigeminal autonomic cephalgias (TACs), and tension-type headaches
  • Secondary headaches, such as myalgia-related, cervicogenic, or medication-overuse headaches
  • Neuropathic pain (e.g., trigeminal neuralgia, burning mouth syndrome, post-traumatic neuropathy)
  • Neurovascular pain (e.g., temporal arteritis)
  • Primary and secondary dental pain
  • Mucocutaneous pain disorders
  • Biopsychosocial factors influencing the pain experience
  • Sleep disorders that contribute to chronic pain conditions

Recognition of the Specialty

In 2020, the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards (NCRDSCB) officially recognized Orofacial Pain as the specialty of dentistry that encompasses the diagnosis, management, and treatment of pain disorders of the jaw, mouth, face, head, and neck. 

The American Academy of Orofacial Pain (AAOP) serves as the official professional organization representing the specialty.

In 2022, the American Board of Orofacial Pain (ABOP) was recognized as the credentialing board for Orofacial Pain.

Learn more about NCRDSCB Recognized Dental Specialties

There are currently more than a dozen CODA-accredited orofacial pain residency programs in the United States. In accordance with CODA standards, all dental schools are required to introduce orofacial pain principles as part of their curricula, consistent with the requirements for other recognized dental specialties. See the standards here.

For additional background:
Friction, J., & Crandall, J. A. (2020). Orofacial pain as a new dental specialty. CRANIO, 38(2), 69-72. https://doi.org/10.1080/08869634.2020.1716140

Qualifications of an Orofacial Pain Specialist

An orofacial pain specialist is a dentist who has:

  • Completed an accredited orofacial pain residency program, and/or
  • Demonstrated competency in the field by passing the two-part board examination administered by the American Board of Orofacial Pain (ABOP) to earn certification as a Diplomate of the ABOP (DABOP).

The AAOP also recognizes individuals who have achieved Fellow status within the Academy as specialists, as Fellowship requires Diplomate certification.

Additionally, the AAOP acknowledges that many practitioners have completed advanced continuing education in orofacial pain and may provide expert-level care within their general or specialty practices, even if they do not meet NCRDSCB requirements for specialty status.

Orofacial pain specialists meet rigorous standards comparable to those in all other recognized dental specialties, including endodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, prosthodontics, oral medicine, radiology, pathology, dental anesthesiology, and dental public health.

Scope of the Specialty

The scope of orofacial pain as defined by CODA and tested through the ABOP examination process is well-documented in peer-reviewed literature and specialty textbooks, including:

  • Klasser, G., & Romero Reyes, M. (Eds.). Orofacial Pain: Guidelines for Assessment, Diagnosis, and Management. 7th Edition. Quintessence Publishing, 2023.
  • Huff, K. D., & Benoliel, R. (2023). Clinical Handbook for Oral, Facial, and Head Pain. Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache, 37(4), 219-268. https://doi.org/10.11607/ofph.3488
  • American Dental Association (2023). Standards for the Management of Orofacial Pain. CODA Document