Graduate Program in Orofacial Pain

Graduate Program in Orofacial Pain

The UNC-CH Adams School of Dentistry Orofacial Pain Certificate Program is a two year full-time program leading to a Certificate in Orofacial Pain. This program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Program activities include didactic curriculum, journal club, case conferences, research, clinical activity, and clinical rotations. Half of the program time is dedicated to the clinical diagnosis and management of Orofacial Pain.

The didactic curriculum encompasses biomedical sciences, functional neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of pain, behavioral sciences, clinical sciences, multidisciplinary pain management, teaching, and research.

Upon completion of the program, students are eligible for examination and certification by the American Board of Orofacial Pain.

Program Overview

Program Objectives

  • Education: To achieve advanced evidence-based knowledge in orofacial pain in the following areas – biomedical sciences, functional neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of pain, behavioral sciences, clinical sciences, multidisciplinary pain management, biostatistics, and pain research.
  • Patient Care: To provide diagnosis and management of orofacial pain conditions with multi-disciplinary collaborative patient care.
  • Teaching: To gain experience in teaching orofacial pain via the delivery of scientific presentations, educational lectures, and case portfolios.
  • Research: To participate in orofacial pain research in order to learn study design and methodology, data analysis and interpretation, significance of results and critical thinking, and scientific writing.

Clinical Rotations
Students will participate in clinical experiences in the following healthcare services:

  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, UNC-CH Adams School of Dentistry
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, UNC-CH Adams School of Dentistry
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, UNC-CH Adams School of Dentistry
  • Acupuncture, Orofacial Pain Division, UNC-CH Adams School of Dentistry
  • Department of Physical Therapy, UNC-CH School of Medicine
  • Department of Anesthesiology, Anesthesia Pain Clinic, UNC-CH School of Medicine
  • Department of Neurology, Headache Clinic, UNC-CH School of Medicine
  • Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, UNC-CH School of Medicine
  • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pelvic Pain Clinic, UNC School of Medicine
  • Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UNC-CH School of Medicine
  • Department of Rheumatology, UNC-CH School of Medicine
  • Department of Psychiatry, UNC-CH School of Medicine

Admissions Information

Applications must be submitted via PASS The application deadline is December 1 for matriculation on July 1 the following year. An in-person on-site interview is required.

Applications must include the following:

  • Dental school transcripts
  • A copy of the dental license (if applicable)
  • Essay stating career goals and experience
  • Three letters of recommendation (one must be from a dental school faculty member)

 

Admissions Requirements

All prospective residents must hold a DDS, DMD or equivalent degree.

Admission criteria are applied equally to all applicants regardless of race, sex, national origin or religion. Minority students are encouraged to apply.

Tuition, Stipend Support and Benefits

Stipends are contingent on availability of funds. Regardless of the availability of stipend support, teaching responsibilities are required as a part of the program.

Curriculum

FIRST YEAR – SUMMER SEMESTER

  • DENG 707 Regional Anatomy
  • DENG 720 Applied Pharmacology
  • OFP 100 Orofacial Pain Clinic
  • OFP 110 Orofacial Pain Case Conferences
  • OFP 120 Orofacial Pain Journal Club
  • OFP 130 Orofacial Pain Seminar
  • OFP 140 Orofacial Pain Research

FIRST YEAR – FALL SEMESTER

  • DENG 701 Research Design
  • ORPA 762 Oral Path and Histopathology
  • OFP 100 Orofacial Pain Clinic
  • OFP 110 Orofacial Pain Case Conferences
  • OFP 120 Orofacial Pain Journal Club
  • OFP 130 Orofacial Pain Seminar
  • OFP 140 Orofacial Pain Research

FIRST YEAR – SPRING SEMESTER

  • OCBM 723 Introduction to Pain Neurobiology
  • OCBM 724 Diagnosis and Treatment of Orofacial Pain
  • ORAD 706 Advanced Oral Radiology
  • ORPA 763 Oral Path and Histopathology
  • OFP 100 Orofacial Pain Clinic
  • OFP 110 Orofacial Pain Case Conferences
  • OFP 120 Orofacial Pain Journal Club
  • OFP 130 Orofacial Pain Seminar
  • OFP 140 Orofacial Pain Research

SECOND YEAR – SUMMER SEMESTER

  • OFP 100 Orofacial Pain Clinic
  • OFP 110 Orofacial Pain Case Conferences
  • OFP 120 Orofacial Pain Journal Club
  • OFP 130 Orofacial Pain Seminar
  • OFP 140 Orofacial Pain Research

SECOND YEAR – FALL SEMESTER

  • DENG 702 Introductory Biostatistics
  • OFP 100 Orofacial Pain Clinic
  • OFP 110 Orofacial Pain Case Conferences
  • OFP 120 Orofacial Pain Journal Club
  • OFP 130 Orofacial Pain Seminar
  • OFP 140 Orofacial Pain Research

SECOND YEAR – SPRING SEMESTER

  • DENG 703 Applied Dental Research Methods
  • OFP 100 Orofacial Pain Clinic
  • OFP 110 Orofacial Pain Case Conferences
  • OFP 120 Orofacial Pain Journal Club
  • OFP 130 Orofacial Pain Seminar
  • OFP 140 Orofacial Pain Research

North Carolina Licensure/Intern Permit

Students who are not graduates of an ADA-accredited dental school must complete a simulation exam as part of their NC intern permit process. Such candidates must pass and complete the simulation exam within two months of their formal matriculation in the program. If a candidate does not pass the simulation exam within the two-month interval, they cannot advance in the clinical program and will be subject to dismissal from the program.

Contact Us

Questions?

Program Director, Dr. Pei Feng Lim
Email: PeiFeng_Lim@unc.edu