OPTA Workshop
Practical Therapy for the Temporomandibular Joint
Saturday, June 5, 2010
8:00 am Registration * 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Course Hours
(with one hour for lunch – on your own)
Continuing Education Hours: 7
Location:
Life's Work PT
541 NE 20th, Suite 215
Portland, Oregon 97232
www.lifesworkpt.com
- class size limited -

COURSE HAS BEEN FILLED

Mr. Esser’s comprehensive programs for patients with TMJ and facial pain incorporate current research and techniques of leaders in the field of TMJ care, along with his own 28 years of clinical experience.

Patients with TMJ dysfunction are often an unrecognized and undertreated population. They are unlikely to improve spontaneously .

Research substantiates the need for a new model of care, based on early intervention and a team approach among dentists and physical therapists. This is critically important in patients experiencing acute closed locked conditions secondary to both micro and macro trauma.

Understanding how occlusion and the cervical spine interact is vital for both physical therapist and dentists. Mr. Esser encourages physical therapists to share this information with dentists they work with and to invite them to the course.

Course Description

• Bob, the local veterinarian, can’t open his mouth after being kicked in the face by an injured horse.

• Brenda says her jaw has always popped and clicked after she got hit with a soccer ball as a kid. It never hurt until this year.

• Mary had an MVA in 1999. The airbag saved her life but left her with a crooked smile. Now she has chronic pain. Her MD wants to know “Does she have TMJ?”

Would You Know How To Evaluate And Treat These Patients If They Were On Your Schedule Today?

Recent research indicates acute close-locked patients should be unlocked immediately and stabilized with a splint by a dentist or PT.

Youth who suffer direct trauma to the jaw resulting in disc displacement often experience changes in growth of the mandible, facial asymmetry, clicking in the joint and early degenerative changes.

Adults who ignore years of clicking and popping often progress to acute closed-lock conditions, degenerative joint disease and chronic pain.

Dental and medical professionals often experience gaps in their understanding of how best to diagnose and treat patients with TMJ dysfunction. Consequently, a vast majority of patients with early TMJ dysfunction may not be adequately treated until significant damage has occurred to the joint.

Physical Therapists who understand the mechanics of the TMJ and its relationship to the head and neck can play a vital role working in a team approach with the dental community to treat these patients. This course will provide the evidenced-based and clinically applicable skills to allow you to treat these patients.

Objectives

Following this workshop the attendee should be able to:

• Understand the basic anatomy and function of the temporomandibular joint.

• Properly evaluate the head, neck and TMJ using a 30-minute “outside-in” evaluation format.

• Plan appropriate intervention for patients with TMJ dysfunction.

• Implement treatment techniques for the TMJ. These techniques will include mobilization of the TMJ, correction of oral mechanics producing micro trauma to the joint, methods to unlock acute locked joints and stabilize them through use of a temporary.

• Understand the use of temporary splints to stabilize unlocked joints.

• Understand basic TMJ terminology utilized in dentistry to allow interdisciplinary planning and case management and to build referral relationships.

• *Participants will need to bring a pillow and yoga mat or blanket.

Speaker Information

Since graduating from the University of Iowa in 1981 and moving to the Rogue Valley, Bill has worked with the dental and medical community throughout Southern Oregon and Northern California, specializing in treating patients with facial pain, headaches and TMJ disorders.

Mr. Esser teaches courses to dentists and physical therapists, fostering this collaborative approach to case management of acute and chronic TMJ dysfunction. He is an owner/partner of Jackson County Physical Therapy LLP with 4 locations in Southern Oregon.

Continuing Education Credit

CE Hours 7 – This course meets the Oregon Physical Therapist Licensing Board’s requirements for continuing education. A course completion certificate will be issued to registrants upon completion of the course. Oregon licensed therapists and assistants are encouraged to consult Division 35 of the licensing board's administrative rules for complete information regarding CE requirements in Oregon. This one-day course is eligible for 7 continuing education hours with PTs/ PTAs, & 7 hours of continuing education for Dentists.

Course Registration Fees:

OPTA Member: - $175
OPTA Service Member* - $150 *Serves on an OPTA board or committee
PT of PTA Non-member - $275
OPTA Student Member - $100

Course Restrictions

Registrations must be received by May 28, 2010. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged to secure your spot. In the event that room space becomes filled to capacity, some registrants will not be able to be accommodated, and will be notified. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. In the event of inadequate registration, weather problems or other events beyond OPTA’s control, a meeting may occasionally be moved or cancelled. Should this occur, an attempt will be made to contact registrants and fees will be refunded.

Confirmation Letters

Registrations received by May 28, 2010 will receive a confirmation letter by mail. Registrations received after May 28, 2010 will not receive a confirmation letter.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations received on or before 5:00 pm May 28, 2010 will receive their total registration fees minus a $25 administrative fee. Cancellations received after 5:00 pm May 28, 2010, no shows or same-day cancellations, won't be refunded.