Maritime Conference Center
692 Maritime Blvd | Linthicum Heights
Room A300

Course Description:

This interactive lecture provides a basic understanding of temporomandibular disorders and craniofacial pain. Both the anatomy and biomechanics of the normal and dysfunctional temporomandibular joints will be reviewed. The differentiation between myofascial related pain and internal derangements is highlighted with emphasis on the interrelationship between the cervical spine and the TMJ. Participants will gain insight into the in-depth physical therapy evaluation of orofacial pain patients, including cervical and upper quarter screens. Physical therapy treatment is discussed, noting postural education, cessation of parafunction, modalities, manual therapy, and dry needling.  Contemporary research is noted throughout the lecture to support the utilization of skilled physical therapy to successfully trat this complex patient population.

Course Objectives:

Participants in this course will gain knowledge in the following areas:

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1. A review of basic TMJ anatomy, biomechanics, and pathomechanics

2. An understanding why anatomy, innervation and function of the temporomandibular joint and surrounding structures are important in diagnosis and treatment.

3. Gain the knowledge to do a comprehensive TMJ evaluation in under two minutes.

4. What imaging can tell you and what imaging cannot tell you

5. Understand when to use intraoral orthotics and when not to use them.

6. Identify the PT's role within the dental community for the treatment of TMD

About the Speakers:

Dr. Sylvan Mintz graduated from the U of MD in 1963 with a BA  degree in history and a DDS degree from the UMBCDS in 1967. Dr. Mintz continued his post-graduate education with a MS degree in Pediatric Dentistry from BUSGD in 1971, and was also awarded a Certificate in Anesthesia from Kennedy Memorial Hospital. Dr. Mintz attended the UMDNJ and received Certificates in Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ) and Orofacial Pain in 1990, 1992, and 2000. He is board certified by both the American Board of Orofacial Pain and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.  Dr. Mintz was active as a pediatric dentist for over twenty-five years on the staff of Children's Hospital in Washington, DC and PG Hospital.  Dr. Mintz was a clinical instructor at the University of Maryland and Howard Dental Schools. He is currently a regular consultant to the Orofacial Pain Clinic at Bethesda Naval Hospital, UM Dental School Orofacial Pain Clinic and GW Clinical Assistant Professor at the National Children’s Medical Center. He is co-director of the Advanced Sleep Clinic and TMJ Clinic at Children’s.

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After dental school, he served two years as a General Dentist in the Army, including one year in Vietnam. Dr. Mintz organized and ran a clinic for Vietnamese orphans and was awarded the Army Commendation medal. In 1971, Dr. Mintz started a solo pediatric dental office in Oxon Hill, Maryland. The practice expanded to a group dental practice in 1974 with two locations. By the time Dr. Mintz sold his practice in 1998, the practice had grown to a multi-specialty group with twelve dentists and a staff of nearly sixty. Wanting to devote the rest of his career to the specialization of TMJ dysfunction, facial pain, and dental sleep medicine, he opened an office in Rockville in 2001, and then relocated to Bethesda in 2007. He is retired from active private practice.