AAOP Podcast

In this episode of the AAOP Podcast, Dr. Steve Bender explores the important and evolving role of dentists in sleep medicine. He discusses how dental professionals can contribute to the recognition, evaluation, and management of sleep-related breathing disorders and highlights opportunities for collaboration with physicians and other members of the sleep medicine team. Dr. Bender also considers the knowledge and skills dentists need to provide effective, patient-centered care. Whether you are new to dental sleep medicine or looking to expand your understanding of interdisciplinary care, this conversation offers valuable insights into how dentists can play a meaningful role in improving sleep and overall health.

Why do some patients continue to experience pain after technically successful dental treatment? In this episode of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain Podcast, Dr. Gary Klasser explores persistent idiopathic facial pain, painful post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy, and evidence-based strategies for diagnosis, management, and referral. Learn how to recognize neuropathic pain, avoid unnecessary dental treatment, and improve patient outcomes through a multidisciplinary approach.
 
Earn CE credit: Complete the accompanying educational activity at learn.aaop.org

In this special episode, Dr. Pratishtha Mishra hosts a conversation with Dr. Michele Schultz and Dr. Isabel Moreno-Hay marking 50 years of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain — reflections, insights, and a look ahead at the future of the field. A conversation that connects memorable moments with where the specialty is headed, and the people who have shaped it along the way.

This episode continues our two-part Coast to Coast series, spotlighting CODA-accredited Orofacial Pain training programs across the country. Episode 2 shifts to the Midwest and East Coast, where hosts Dr. Pratishtha Mishra and Dr. Jasjot Sahni speak with two program directors leading established OFP residencies: Dr. Alberto Malacarne, Program Director of the Orofacial Pain Advanced Education Program at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, and Dr. Liz Hatfield, Program Director of the TMD & Orofacial Pain Residency at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.
They discuss the evolution and structure of their programs, what resident training looks like in their institutions, and how mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration shape the learning experience. They also share perspectives on career pathways and the continued growth of Orofacial Pain within academic and clinical settings.

This episode is the first in a two-part Coast to Coast series, spotlighting CODA-accredited Orofacial Pain training programs across the country. Episode 1 focuses on the West Coast, where hosts Dr. Pratishtha Mishra and Dr. Jasjot Sahni speak with two program directors leading established OFP residencies: Dr. Mariela Padilla from USC and Dr. Sherwin Arman from UCLA.
 
They discuss their paths into Orofacial Pain, the structure of their programs, what day-to-day resident life looks like, and how mentorship and career development are supported. They also share insights on the growing overlap with sleep and headache medicine, along with advice for future specialists and for schools aiming to build OFP training.
 
Whether you are a dental student, resident, or clinician seeking clarity on CODA-accredited Orofacial Pain programs, this episode offers a clear look at two respected West Coast training models and the directors guiding them.

23: Needles of Relief

21: The Orofacial Pain Private Practice

20: Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired: Fatigue in Chronic Pain

19: The Role of Physical Therapy in Temporomandibular Disorders