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University of Kentucy College of Dentistry 
Building a Foundation for the Future
 
Orofacial Pain

Programs

The University of Kentucky Orofacial Pain Center is one of a few national recognized and accredited graduate training programs in the United States. It was the first program to receive accreditation through the national accreditation process. The Orofacial Pain Center offers three formal postgraduate educational programs to graduate dentists: the Master of Science Degree, the International Fellowship Program, and the Mini-Residency Program.

Master's of Science Degree Program

The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, through the University of Kentucky Graduate School, offers a Master of Science Degree in Orofacial Pain. This Master's Degree is offered by only a few universities in the United States. The program provides clinical, didactic and research training in the understanding, diagnosis, and management of temporomandibular disorders and complex orofacial pain problems. Although the Master's degree program is designed for completion in 30-34 months, the didactic and clinical components can be completed in 24 months. Appropriate scheduling and use of summer months can also shorten the research component considerably. The Master's Degree is awarded after an original research thesis is completed and formally defended.

The Orofacial Pain Graduate Program is comprised of three areas of study: didactic, clinical and research.

The Didactic Component

The didactic component consists of successful completion of 24 credit hours of designed graduate courses in the College of Dentistry. Half of these hours comprise a "core curriculum" taken in concert with Master's candidates from other dental specialties. Course content includes oral biology, oral pathology, neuroanatomy, growth and development, pain physiology, craniomandibular biomechanics, masticatory function and dysfunction, pharmacology, imaging techniques and statistics. Lectures are also presented by specialists in psychology, rheumatology, rehabilitative medicine, otolaryngology, neurosurgery, headache, anesthesiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery and physical therapy.

The Clinical Component

Each resident actively evaluates and manages orofacial pain patients in the Center. Approximately 50% of the resident's scheduled time is spent managing pain patients. The program encourages a medical model for the diagnosis and management of orofacial pain rather than emphasizing manual dental skills to alter dental structures. Emphasis is placed on establishing a proper diagnosis and management plan and in developing appropriate relationships with medical specialists who can assist in diagnosing and managing the patient's specific pain complaint. Pharmocolgic, psychologic, and physical therapies are combined with intraoral orthopedic appliances to routinely manage the orofacial pain patient. Various diagnostic and therapeutic injection techniques are also used when appropriate.

The Research Component

Each Master's Degree candidate completes a thesis developed from original research in an area of orofacial pain or temporomandibular disorders. The Degree is awarded after successful completion of all course work and defense of the thesis.

Tuition

The tuition for the Master of Science Degree Program is determined by the University of Kentucky Graduate School. The tuition may change each year according to state polices.

Admission Requirements

Each Master's Degree candidate must return two completed applications (College of Dentistry and University Graduate School Application), with dental school transcripts and two letters of recommendation by October 1 of the year prior to the beginning of the program. Each candidate must also take the Graduate Record Examination for acceptance in the Graduate School of the University of Kentucky. The TOEFL examination is also required for all students originating from countries where English is not the primary language. A visit to the Center for an interview is normally requested by the Admissions Committee. Applications for the Master's Degree Program are accepted until October 1st and the Admissions Committee will select a candidate(s) by December 1. Individuals will be notified at that time.

To apply:

1) Complete the College of Dentistry application form and submit it either on-line or mail it to:

Jeffrey P. Okeson, DMD
Director, Orofacial Pain Center
University of Kentucky
College of Dentistry
800 Rose Street, D314
Lexington, KY 40536-0297
FAX: 606.257.1847

2) Complete the University Graduate School application either on hardcopy or on-line. For additional information about the Graduate School:

Phone: 859.257.8142 or 859.257.4613
Email: gradapps@pop.uky.edu

University of Kentucky
Graduate School
351 Patterson Office Tower
Lexington, KY 40536-0027

 

International Fellowship Program

The International Fellowship Program is a one-year program specifically designed for dentists who originate from a country where English is not the primary language. This program provides the resident with a broad-based experience in the field of orofacial pain.

Our educational philosophy is to create a collegial atmosphere which is conducive to learning but which is challenging, provocative, and one based on the development of critical thinking skills in clinical and scholarly activities. To achieve these goals, we provide a broad diversity of didactic and clinical experiences in the area of temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain.

The International Fellowship Program is a one-year program beginning on July 1 and ending on July 30 of the following year. The goal of the International Fellowship Program is to assist the participant in acquiring a basic understanding of the diagnosis and management of temporomandibular disorders and complex orofacial pain problems. The International Fellow participates in the three areas of study highlighted below.

The Didactic Component

The International Fellow attends all weekly seminars, case presentations and literature review sessions offered by the Center. He or she has the opportunity to enroll in a variety of Master's Degree courses offered throughout the year, according to the Fellow's interest. Course contents include oral biology, oral pathology, neuroanatomy, growth and development, pain physiology, craniomandibular biomechanics, masticatory function and dysfunction, pharmacology, imaging techniques and statistics. Lectures are also presented by specialists in psychology, rheumatology, rehabilitative medicine, otolaryngology, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, headache, oral medicine, oral and maxillofacial surgery and physical therapy.

The Clinical Component

The International Fellow observes and assists faculty members and residents in the evaluation and management of the orofacial pain patients seen in the Center. Approximately 50% of the Fellow's scheduled time is spent observing the clinical management of pain patients. The program employs a medical-biopsychosocial model for the diagnosis and management of orofacial pain rather than emphasizing manual dental skills to alter dental structures. Emphasis is placed on proper diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment strategies with medical consultation when necessary. Pharmacologic, psychologic, and physical therapies are combined with intraoral orthopedic appliances to routinely manage the orofacial pain patient. Various diagnostic and therapeutic injection techniques are also used when appropriate.

Successful management of pain conditions is based, in part, on the ability of the clinician to obtain a comprehensive history through verbal communication and skillful understanding of the patient's complaints. Therefore, superior and fluent English language skills and comprehension are essential. The International Fellow should assume that he or she will only observe in clinic activities. In those instances when the Fellow has demonstrated superior verbal and comprehension skills, the Fellow may have the opportunity to participate more actively in the clinical assessment and management of patents. The degree of participation of the International Fellow in the clinic will be determined by the Program Director with consultation from the other faculty members.

The Research Component

The International Fellow will write a review article on a topic related to temporomandibular disorders and/or orofacial pain. The Fellow will select a topic, approved by the Program Director, and research all significant articles related to that topic. This review article will be completed one month prior to the end of the Fellow's program. In some instances, the International Fellow may have the opportunity to participate in ongoing research efforts in the Center. The degree of participation will be determined by the availability and type of ongoing research activity at the time. The Director of Research will determine the degree of participation of the Fellow.

Tuition

This program is provided through the Department of Continuing Education at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. The tuition for the one-year International Fellowship for the 1999-2000 academic year is $14,500.00.

Admission Requirements

Each International Fellowship candidate must return a completed application, with dental school transcripts and two letters of recommendation by October 1 of the year prior to the beginning of the program. Each candidate originating from a country where English is not the primary language must also take the TOFEL examination. A visit to the Center for an interview is normally requested by the Admissions Committee. The Admissions Committee will select a candidate by December 1 and that individual will be notified at that time.

If you wish to apply to the program, complete the College of Dentistry application form and submit it either online or mail it to the following address:

Jeffrey P. Okeson, DMD
Director, Orofacial Pain Center
University of Kentucky
College of Dentistry
800 Rose Street, D314
Lexington, KY 40536-0297
FAX: 606.257.1847

 

Mini-Residency Program

Information regarding the Mini-Residency Program is available on our Mini Residency page.