Orofacial Pain Residency
Call: 781-718-6793
Email: jshaefer@mgh.harvard.edu
Overview
The MGH Orofacial Pain Residency provides specialized training in the diagnosis and management of chronic orofacial pain conditions, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), and related conditions. Residents develop expertise in comprehensive pain assessment, pharmacotherapy, behavioral approaches, and interventional techniques for orofacial pain.
Requirements
DMD or DDS degree. Contact program for specific application requirements.
Curriculum
Chronic orofacial pain assessment and diagnosis. Temporomandibular disorder management. Pain pharmacotherapy. Behavioral pain management approaches. Interventional pain techniques. Multidisciplinary pain care coordination.
Research Experience
Research opportunities in orofacial pain mechanisms, TMD outcomes, and novel pain management approaches.
How to Apply
Program Director: Jeffry R. Shaefer, DDS, MS: jshaefer@mgh.harvard.edu.
Program Coordinator: Andreza Costello: amcostello@bwh.harvard.edu.
- Chronic orofacial pain
- Temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
- Pain pharmacotherapy
- Behavioral pain management
- Interventional techniques
- Multidisciplinary pain care
The program emphasizes the importance of inter-professional management of acute and chronic orofacial pain and related conditions. Consistent with this mission, the program underscores the importance of basic and applied research as the primary contributor to successful patient outcomes.
Clinical training is conducted on a one-on-one basis with the faculty. Residents learn how to evaluate and diagnose pain disorders with state-of-the-art clinical technology. The training includes pain control modalities such as: orthotic oral appliance therapy, pharmacotherapy, biobehavioral therapy, injection therapy, psychological therapy, and surgical therapy as well as numerous integrative medicine approaches.
The residents supplement their clinical training with a comprehensive didactic program composed of basic science, dental science and medical science courses as well as numerous clinical rotations, departmental courses, conferences, patient presentations and literature review.
In addition to the clinical training, residents are required to develop a research proposal with a faculty mentor to be completed during the program. Many of the faculty are currently engaged in basic science and clinical research in orofacial pain and related areas.
Upon successful completion of the OFP program, residents will meet the requirements for the American Board of Orofacial Pain certification examination.