Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction
Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction Postgraduate Training Program
- Graduates of CODA Accredited Dental Schools (U.S. & Canada)
- Graduates of Non-CODA Accredited Dental Schools (Foreign)
Program Overview
Robert Merrill, DDS
Program Director
The UCLA Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction Postgraduate Training Program is a postgraduate certificate program renowned for providing hands-on experience in treating headache, neuropathic pain disorders, TMJ disorders, and obstructive sleep apnea. Heavy emphasis is placed on learning a medical model for assessing and treating patients, including developing competencies in neurological, stomatognathic, myofascial, and psychological assessment of patients.
The comprehensive curriculum includes didactic, clinical, and clinical research components. Most notable are the didactic components because very little of the required pain sciences are presented in predoctoral or traditional dental specialty training programs. Individuals who successfully complete this program will be competent in the basic and applied pain sciences as well as very knowledgeable regarding the science and literature about the more traditional dental and TMD/TMJ approaches. Topics include neurology, neuroanatomy, and neurological exam; laboratory and behavioral medicine; neurobiology of pain; neuropathic pain; headache disorders; musculoskeletal and myofascial pain disorders; pharmacotherapeutics for pain and pain management; TMJ disorders, sleep apnea, and orofacial dystonias; and occlusion.
Clinical experience is hands-on following an observational probationary period that is determined based on the participant's prior experience. Initially more TMD patients will be assigned, and then the patient assignments will be expanded to more chronic pain profiles. The UCLA program gives actual treatment experience of the whole spectrum of orofacial pain conditions as well as traditional temporomandibular disorders rather than simply screening, diagnosis, and referral for treatment.
Clinical or applied research is an option for those who are interested. Postgraduates may choose to be involved in research in the area of clinical outcome measures for pain, sleep disordered breathing, headache, and/or neuropathic pain.
This program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
Length of Program: 2 years
Number of Positions: 3 (2 positions for graduates of CODA accredited dental schools and 1 position for graduates of non-CODA accredited dental schools)
- Graduates of CODA Accredited Dental Schools (U.S. or Canada)
-
Financial Arrangement: B salary
Admissions Requirements
- US citizen or permanent resident
- DDS/DMD from an ADA-accredited program
- National Board Dental Examination, Part I
Application Procedure
This program does not participate in the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS).
Applicants must submit the UCLA Standard Residency Application directly to the Student Affairs Office:
Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction
UCLA School of Dentistry
Office of Student Affairs
10833 Le Conte Ave, A0-111 CHS
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1668The following materials must also be sent to Student Affairs:
- Curriculum vitae
- Personal statement
- Official NBDE Part I scores
- Official undergraduate and dental school transcripts
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Recent passport-sized photograph (2" x 2")
Incomplete files will not be considered.
Application Deadline: December 15
Interviews
Selected candidates will be invited to interview. If you have been selected, you will be notified by telephone.
Timing of Interviews: Mid-January – mid-February
Approximate Number of Candidates Selected for Interviews: 2 – 4
Decisions Process
The admissions committee considers the following criteria in its decisions:
- Academic achievement
- Performance on NBDE
- Content of personal statement
- Content of recommendation letters
- Bonafide interest in orofacial pain
- Performance assessment/evaluations from faculty
This program does not participate in the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program. Accepted candidates are notified by telephone call followed by an official letter of acceptance. Decisions will be available in mid-February.
Contact Information
Erin HakimPostgraduate Program Coordinator & International Advisor
ehakim@dentistry.ucla.edu
- Graduates of Non-CODA Accredited Dental Schools (Foreign)
-
Financial Arrangement:
Tuition: $26,800 per year
Certificate Fee: one-time payment of $200
International Student Fee: $1,300 (only for those requesting I-20s for F-1 student status)Admissions Requirements
- Degree from a dental school accredited by the local government jurisdiction
- National Board Dental Examination, Part I
- English language proficiency
Application Procedure
This program does not participate in the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS).
Applicants must submit the UCLA Standard Residency Supplemental Application directly to the Student Affairs Office:
Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction International Position
UCLA School of Dentistry
Office of Student Affairs
10833 Le Conte Ave, A0-111 CHS
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1668The following materials must also be sent to Student Affairs:
- Curriculum vitae
- Personal statement
- Official NBDE Part I scores
- Official undergraduate and dental school transcripts
- 3 letters of recommendation (signed and sealed)
- Recent passport-sized photograph (2” x 2”)
- Official TOEFL score or IELTS score
Incomplete files will not be considered.
Application Deadline: December 15
Interviews
Selected candidates will be invited to interview. If you have been selected, you will be notified by telephone.
Timing of Interviews: Mid-January – mid-February
Approximate Number of Candidates Selected: 4
Decisions Process
The admissions committee considers the following criteria in its decisions:
- Academic achievement
- Performance on NBDE
- Content of personal statement
- Content of recommendation letters
- Bonafide interest in orofacial pain
- Performance assessment/evaluations from faculty
This program does not participate in the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program. Accepted candidates are notified by telephone call followed by an official letter of acceptance. Decisions will be available in mid-February.
Immigration Regulations
Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction international postgraduates must enter the United States on an F-1 visa which is processed by the School’s visa coordinator. This is a non-immigrant visa which presumes you are in the United States for the purpose of studying for a limited time. Information on how to apply for I-20AB necessary for an F-1 visa will be sent to you after acceptance to the program if relevant.
There is a non-refundable fee of $1,300 due after acceptance for those who need an I-20 to apply for an F-1 student visa. There is also a $200 certificate fee to confirms your acceptance of the program. These fees are not applied towards your tuition and are non-refundable.
Health Insurance and Clearance
All postgraduates are required to be insured under an adequate medical insurance plan during all periods of registration. Medical insurance is not provided by UCLA for international postgraduates, and you cannot be seen at the on-campus student health facility. The School of Dentistry requires that you obtain a health clearance prior to enrollment in the program for individual and community health reasons. The health clearance must include a complete physical examination and demonstration of immunity to certain communicable diseases. Annual monitoring for tuberculosis will also be necessary.
Contact Information
Erin HakimPostgraduate Program Coordinator & International Advisor
ehakim@dentistry.ucla.edu