The Third Educational Conference to Develop the Curriculum in Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain: Introduction

The principal aim of the Third Educational Conference to Develop the Curriculum in Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain was to enhance the teaching of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and orofacial pain to predoctoral dental students and to postdoctoral students in this field. Within this context, the conference sought to: (1) provide information regarding the current status of the predoctoral and postdoctoral teaching of TMD and orofacial pain, (2) present ways in which teaching of the basic sciences can be better integrated into the teaching of TMD and orofacial pain in the predoctoral and postdoctoral curriculum, (3) present ways in which the teaching of oral medicine can be better integrated into the teaching of TMD and orofacial pain in the predoctoral and postdoctoral curriculum, and (4) discuss how TMD and orofacial pain should be taught in a manner that is consistent with newly proposed accreditation standards. The papers addressing these specific aspects, as well as a summary paper on the conclusions from the conference, are presented in this issue of the journal.

orofacial pain; temporomandibular disorders; dental curriculum; educational conference

1. Okeson JP, Attanasio R, Mohl ND. Temporomandibular disorders: Past, present, and future. J Craniomandib Disord Facial Oral Pain 1992;6:103–106.

2. Solberg WK, Fricton JR. The role of the dental school in teaching TMD and orofacial pain. J Craniomandib Disord Facial Oral Pain 1992;6:107–110.

3. Greene CS, Stockstill JW, Clark GT. Predoctoral education for TMD and orofacial pain: A philosophical overview. J Craniomandib Disord Facial Oral Pain 1992;6:111–112.

4. Attanasio R, Mohl ND. Suggested curriculum guidelines for the development of predoctoral programs in TMD and orofacial pain. J Craniomandib Disord Facial Oral Pain 1992;6:113–116.

5. Stockstill JW. Curriculum outline for adjunctive predoctoral education in TMD and orofacial pain. J Craniomandib Disord Facial Oral Pain 1992;6:117–122.

6. Fricton JR, Pullinger AG, Mohl ND. Postdoctoral education for TMD and orofacial pain: A philosophical overview. J Craniomandib Disord Facial Oral Pain 1992;6:123–125.

7. Attanasio R, Mohl ND. Suggested curriculum guidelines for the development of postdoctoral programs in TMD and orofacial pain. J Craniomandib Disord Facial Oral Pain 1992;6:126–134.

8. McNeill C, Fallace D, Attanasio R. Continuing education for TMD and orofacial pain: A philosophical overview. J Craniomandib Disord Facial Oral Pain 1992;6:135–136.

9. Attanasio R, Mohl ND. Suggested curriculum guidelines for the development of continuing education programs in TMD and orofacial pain. J Craniomandib Disord Facial Oral Pain 1992;6:137–140.

10. American Association of Dental Schools. Predoctoral curriculum guidelines in temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain. J Dent Educ 1992;56(9):646–649.

11. Mohl ND. Third educational conference to develop the curriculum in temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain: Summary/conclusions. J Orofac Pain 2002; 16:198–199.