Length of Program: 1-year with optional 2nd year (Applicants must be prepared to begin during the summer quarter)

Number of Positions: Up to 6 (total enrollees in both ACT and Preceptor Program)

Program Director: Dr. Sherwin Arman

Trainees enrolled in the Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction Advanced Clinical Training Program will have a similar curriculum and experience as the residents in the two-year residency program, including courses and seminars. The goal is to provide hands-on clinical experience in treating headache, neuropathic pain disorders, TMJ disorders, and obstructive sleep apnea.

ACT trainees will spend between 2 to 3 days per week in the clinic and one to two additional days observing and assisting faculty. The didactic curriculum is extensive because little of the required pain sciences are presented in pre-doctoral or post-doctoral training programs. A practitioner in orofacial pain needs a strong background in the basic and applied pain sciences. Topics include neurology, neuroanatomy, neurological examination, behavioral medicine, neurobiology of pain, neuropathic pain, headache disorders, musculoskeletal and myofascial pain disorders, pharmacotherapeutics for pain and pain management, occlusion and TMJ disorders, sleep apnea and orofacial dystonias.

Clinic experience is hands-on following an observational, probationary period that depends on demonstrating competency. In the clinic, patients may be treated individually or in a team-based fashion as dictated by availability of chairs and patients. Furthermore, the number of patients seen by Advanced Clinical Training trainees will depend on many variables to be determined by the clinic director and staff. Initially, more TMD patients with symptoms of arthralgia and myofascial pain may be assigned, and then the patient assignments may be expanded to more chronic pain profiles. The UCLA program gives treatment experience of the whole spectrum of orofacial pain conditions rather than limitation to screening, diagnosis, and referral for treatment.

Once established in the program, trainees will be responsible for patient care, documentation, writing reports to referring doctors, follow-up to patient calls, and urgent care. Trainees may work with faculty treating patients as well as attending other classes and preparing seminar and case materials. Trainees will share on-call pager duties with the orofacial pain residents when considered qualified by the clinic director.

Many students also extend or combine their studies to obtain an advanced degree (MS or PhD) in oral biology, which requires a separate application. Please refer to the Oral Biology Graduate programs for more information.

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A certificate of attendance is awarded upon successful completion of the program. This certificate is not the same as the postgraduate program certificate awarded to full-time international postgraduates in specialty training as a qualification for recognition by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Selection Process & Factors

Selected candidates will be invited to interview. If you have been selected, you will be notified by phone, email, and/or letter.

Timing of Interviews: Within a week of reception and review of the application

The admissions committee considers the following criteria in its decisions:

  • Academic achievement

  • Interest in orofacial pain

  • Research experience

Accepted candidates are notified by email. Decisions will be available by March 1st. A letter of acceptance signed by the Program Director and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs will be issued upon acceptance.

Program Fees

Fees: $26,000 per year (subject to change)

Certificate Fee: One-time payment of $200 (non-refundable)

Program Fee Schedule

Initial payment due

April 5, 50% of annual program fee

100% refund

10 weeks before July 1

50% refund

5 weeks before July 1

None

less than 5 weeks before July 1

Second payment due

Dec 15, 50% of annual program fee

100% refund

before the start of Winter quarter

50% refund

within first 5 weeks of Winter quarter

None

after 5 weeks into Winter quarter

Contact Us

Postgraduate Programs Officer
Phone: (310) 825-7478
postdds@dentistry.ucla.edu