TMD Introductory Course

This 5-hour interactive, self-paced online course is designed to improve temporomandibular disorders (TMD) care by increasing knowledge and competence. This curriculum maximizes learner engagement and retention through thoughtfully designed multimedia content.

Earn 5.0 CE Credits

Video introduction to this course

Key Features:

  • TED-Style Videos: Dynamic and concise presentations introduce key concepts in TMD care. 
  • Interactive Case-Based Scenarios: Realistic patient cases with built-in feedback provide hands-on learning to reinforce comprehension. 
  • Clinical Tools: Resources for TMD assessment and patient education, enabling immediate application in clinical settings.
  • Asynchronous Delivery: Learners can progress at their own pace, ensuring accessibility for diverse audiences.
  • Audience Suitability: Ideal for both students and professionals seeking continuing education. 

Course Structure:

The program is divided into four modules: 

  • TMD Pathophysiology
  • Screening and Assessment
  • Diagnosis
  • Management

This course empowers learners with the knowledge and tools necessary to elevate TMD care while fostering collaboration across healthcare disciplines. 

Learning Objectives:

  1. To understand the basic mechanisms behind TMD.

  2. To learn tools and techniques for effective patient evaluation.

  3. To build competence in identifying common TMD types and comorbidities.

  4. To develop skills to create effective treatment plans.

Module 1 – TMD Pathophysiology

1-1 TMD Prevalence and Impact

Commander James Hawkins (USN) – Dr. Hawkins serves as the Department Chair of the Orofacial Pain Center at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School, Naval Medical Leader and Professional Development Command, in Bethesda, MD. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain and a fellow of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain.

1-2 Masticatory Anatomy

Lieutenant Colonel Paul Goforth (USA) – Dr. Goforth is a board-certified Endodontist and is currently pursuing Orofacial Pain specialty training at Navy Postgraduate Dental School, Naval Medical Leader and Professional Development Command.

1-3 TMD Physiology

Commander James Hawkins (USN)

1-4 Comorbidities and Risk Factors

Commander James Hawkins (USN)

Module 2 – TMD Assessment

2-1 TMD Screening

Commander James Hawkins (USN)

2-2 TMD History

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Weber (USAF) – Dr. Weber serves as Director of Orofacial Pain at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX. He received his certificate in Orofacial Pain from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry in 2014. Dr. Weber is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain and a fellow of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain.

2-3 TMD Examination

Commander James Hawkins (USN)

2-4 TMD Diagnostic Testing and Imaging

Captain Istvan (Steve) Hargitai (USN) – Dr. Hargitai serves as Professor and Staff at the Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine departments at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School, Naval Medical Leader and Professional Development Command, in Bethesda, MD.  Dr. Hargitai is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Medicine and the American Board of Orofacial Pain.

Auriculotemporal Nerve Block
This video will demonstrate how to perform auriculotemporal nerve block.

Clinical Tools Overview
The contents in this video describe the documents in the resource tab.

Module 3 – TMD Screening

3-1 Myogenous TMD

Commander James Hawkins (USN)

3-2 Arthrogenous TMD

Commander James Hawkins (USN)

3-3 Mimickers

Commander Preston Criddle (USN) – Dr. Criddle serves as the Orofacial Pain Residency Program Director at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School, Naval Medical Leader and Professional Development Command, in Bethesda, MD. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain and a fellow of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain.

Module 4 – TMD Management

4-1 Management Strategies

Commander James Hawkins (USN)

4-2 TMD Self Care

Commander James Hawkins (USN)

4-3 TMD Pharmacology

Commander Abby Schmidt (USNR) – Dr. Schmidt served on Active Duty in the United States Navy for 11 years. During that time, she completed an Orofacial Pain residency at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School in 2018. In 2022, she moved back to her home state of Michigan and began private practice at the Michigan Center for Facial pain and Sleep in the metropolitan Detroit area. Dr. Schmidt is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain and a fellow of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain.

4-4 Referrals

Commander James Hawkins (USN)

TMD Self Care Video

Downloadable Resources

Module 1

Resources.pdf

 

Module 2

Resources.pdf
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TMD Comprehensive History (Patient Completes).pdf
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TMD Essentials Clinician Evaluation Form.pdf
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TMD Examination Form (Clinician Completes).pdf

 

Module 3

Resources.pdf
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Patient Education Graphics and Animations.pptx

 

Module 4

Resources.pdf
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TMD Infographic.pdf
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TMD Poster - Handout.pdf

 

Other

Imaging Credits

 

Please complete the “AAOP Intro Course Quiz” to earn your credits

[ays_quiz id=”35″]

Materials in this course are derived from MedEdPORTAL at https://www.mededportal.org/doi/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.11467 The site notes the following: Copyright & Permissions: US Government work in the public domain. This is an open-access publication distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Public Domain Mark. Disclaimer: The views in this article reflect the results of research conducted by the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, or the US Government. We are military service members or federal/contracted employees of the US government. This work was prepared as part of our official duties. Title 17 U.S.C. 105 provides that “copyright protection under this title is not available for any work of the United States Government.” Title 17 U.S.C. 101 defines a US Government work as work prepared by a military service member or employee of the US Government as part of that person’s official duties. Neither we nor any member of our families have a financial arrangement or affiliation with any corporate organization offering financial support or grant monies for this research, nor do we have a financial interest in any commercial product(s) or service(s) we will discuss in the presentation or publication.

  American Academy of Orofacial Pain is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.  ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.