CE0903: The Management of Chronic Orofacial, Head and Neck Pains

Peter Foreman, DDS, FICD, FAGD, FADSA, Dip. AAPM

Course Description:

Chronic orofacial pain including TMD, headache and other head and neck pains present dental and other health professions with complex diagnostic and management challenges. Recent research has lead to major advances in understanding pain mechanisms and referred pain. This research has resulted in a major re-evaluation of the prevention and management of orofacial pain problems. Cherished traditional beliefs concerning the role of occlusion, splint therapy, orthodontics, and surgery have been challenged, often resulting in heated controversy.

Participants will learn about evidence based management approaches to TMD, regional myofascial pain syndromes and other head and neck pains. These approaches are mostly conservative and relatively non-invasive. To treat chronic head, neck and orofacial pains successfully, the clinician must understand the nature and psychology of chronic pain and become competent in its diagnosis and management.

Course Topics:

• Pain mechanisms - a review of current concepts
• Chronic vs. acute pain
• Neuropathic complications of endodontia, surgery and restorative dentistry
• Avoiding neuropathic pain problems - including pre-emptive analgesia
• Myofascial pain and fibromyalgia. Specific problems related to the head, neck and orofacial region
• The changing focus of TMD - the biomedical vs. the biopsychosocial model
• Orofacial pains of non-odontogenic origin
• Management: muscle stretches, trigger point injections, TENS/acupuncture, splints, psychosocial aspects, etc.

Instructor:

PETER FOREMAN is recognized internationally for his contributions to anesthesia, conscious sedation and the management of chronic orofacial pain problems. He has published more than 30 journal articles and textbook chapters. His previous teaching appointments have included the University of British Columbia, the University of Southern California, and the University of Auckland School of Medicine.

After returning to New Zealand from the United States he worked at the Auckland Hospital Pain Clinic until July 2004. He was also its Clinical Director from 1996-1998, as well as a consultant at the Oral Health Unit at Greenlane Hospital in Auckland. He now works as a pain specialist/consultant at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Rotorua, New Zealand, heading a pain assessment/management team dealing with many types of chronic pain problems.

Need a hotel in the area?

University of Washington is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.	The University of Washington is an ACDE member.
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.
University of Washington designates this activity for 7 continuing education credits.