In Memoriam: William Solberg

As many may have now heard on September 2, 2024, we lost one of our early pioneers in the field of facial pain, jaw function and masticatory disorders.

Dr. William “Bill” Solberg, Professor Emeritus at UCLA, was a renowned dental researcher and educator. Bill was a native Minnesotan and earned his degrees from Carleton College and the University of Minnesota Dental School, followed by a research fellowship at The Royal Dental College in Denmark.

He founded the Orofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Joint Center at the UCLA School of Dentistry, where he served as director for twenty-seven years. He taught and mentored many prominent orofacial pain specialists over his many years in academia. His pioneering research on temporomandibular joint disorders gained international recognition and numerous invitations to speak globally. In retirement, it is said that he found great joy in woodworking, sailing, cycling, and writing, with over 50 of his letters to the editor published in the Los Angeles Times.

Dr. Solberg’s contributions professionally and in his “retirement” are immeasurable and will certainly be cherished by those who were fortunate enough to know him.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Smiley, son Peter, daughter-in-law Tatiana, and three grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by so many.