Dr. Gary D. Klasser obtained his dental degree from the University of Manitoba (Canada) in 1980. Over the next 22 years, he enjoyed the practice of general dentistry from both a public health and private practice perspective until he returned to graduate studies in 2002. In 2004, he completed his training and graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Certificate in Orofacial Pain. In 2005, he completed a fellowship in Oral Medicine/Oral Oncology at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). From 2005 – 2011, he was an Assistant Professor and Director of the Oral Medicine/Orofacial Pain clinic at the College of Dentistry in the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Diagnostic Sciences at Louisiana State University, School of Dentistry and is involved in clinical research and teaching. Dr. Klasser has published in a number of peer reviewed journals and has contributed chapters to various textbooks while serving as an editorial reviewer for a number journals. He is also co-editor of the 5th edition of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain book entitled: Orofacial Pain: Guidelines for Assessment, Diagnosis, and Management.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the new terminology proposed by the International Headache Classification for neuropathic pain conditions affecting the orofacial pain region.

2. Summarize the different management options available for persistent facial idiopathic pain (PFIP) or painful post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy (PTTN)

3. Explain the prognosis of persistent facial idiopathic pain (PFIP) or painful post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy (PTTN)

Dr. Gary Heir discusses the current state, future outlook and implications of Orofacial Pain as an emerging dental specialty. Dr. Heir is an internationally recognized expert on orofacial pain. He has published papers, chapters and abstracts on topics related to the field of temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain, and serves on several editorial boards of peer-reviewed journals.

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss the need for accredited Orofacial Pain Programs

2. Describe the impact of Orofacial Pain conditions in the quality of life of patients.

3. Elaborate the goals of Orofacial Management

Dr. Okeson discusses the role of the Dentist in the diagnosis and treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders. Dr. Okeson is Professor, Chairman of the Department of Oral Health Science and Director of the College's Orofacial Pain Center, which he established in 1977. Dr. Okeson has more than 240 publications in the area of occlusion, TM disorders and orofacial pain in various national and international journals. He is past president of both the American Academy of Orofacial Pain and the American Board of Orofacial Pain. He has authored two textbooks on TM disorders and orofacial pain, which have been translated into eleven different languages. Dr. Okeson is a very sought after lecturer on the subject of TMD and orofacial pain and has presented more than 1100 invited lectures on the subject of TMD and orofacial pain in all 50 states and in 54 different countries. He has received the campus wide University of Kentucky “Great Teacher Award”, the Provost’s Distinguished Service Professorship, the University of Kentucky Hall of Distinguished Alumni Award, the American Academy of Orofacial Pain’s Service Award, and the first ever “Distinguished Alumni Award” from the College of Dentistry. Dr. Okeson has also received “The International Dentist of the Year Award” from the Academy of Dentistry International. This is the highest award recognized by this Academy and was given to him in recognition of his worldwide efforts in providing education in the area of temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the etiological factors of temporomandibular disorders

2. Summarize the management options for temporomandibular disorders

3. Discuss the role of dental occlusion in temporomandibular disorders