Upon completion of the workshop, you will be able to: 

• Deepen your understanding of muscle and join anatomy, pain pathways, and neuroplasticity as they relate to TMD and OAT for OSA.
• Learn to identify clinical signs and symptoms of TMD and develop pre-treatment protocols for managing these conditions in patients needing OAT.
• Gain tools to simultaneously manage OSA and TMD, improving patient comfort, adherence, and outcomes.
• Explore a wide array of therapeutic options, including splints, pharmacology, physical therapy, behavioral strategies, and injection therapies.
• Master the art of collaborative care – knowing when and how to refer, and how to co-manage complex cases with other healthcare providers.
• Understand the connection between nocturnal bruxing behaviors and OSA management. 
• Apply TMD diagnostic coding to clinical examination findings.

The TMD for DSM Dentist Workshop is a comprehensive, clinically-focused and evidence-based education program limited to licensed dentists. It provides dentists with training to manage temporomandibular disorders (TMD) for patients seeking or using an oral appliance (OA) for treatment of their obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and snoring.

The workshop is comprised of two components:

• Pre-recorded didactic lectures for attendees to listen to on-demand prior to the workshop
• A 1.5-day, experiential clinical workshop

The workshop will begin with an introduction in the lecture hall followed by a cadaver laboratory,  clinical, and learning lab experiences.

Cadaver Laboratory Experience

You will have the opportunity to attend an optional cadaver laboratory experience at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Medicine (a building near the College of Dentistry). This will provide anatomical insight during a two-hour exploration of pre-dissected cadaver specimens. Those who opt out of the cadaver lab experience will not earn continuing education credit for this session. To participate in this session, you will have to follow all university laboratory safety precautions including:

• completing a 10-minute “Formaldehyde Awareness Training”
• completing a Cadaver Lab “Visitor Form”
• wearing appropriate laboratory and AADSM provided: disposable masks, gloves, gowns, caps and/or booties

The cadaver experience will provide you with:

• A 3D, tactile appreciation of the TMJ and associated musculature
• Precise knowledge of joint, muscle, and nerve structures relevant to TMD diagnosis and treatment
• Improved confidence distinguishing between muscle- and joint-mediated disorders
• Insight into how anatomy influences oral appliance therapy for OSA
• Interactive instruction with expert guidance—ask questions, explore variations, and the ability to integrate what you see with all other workshop activities

Clinical Experiences

During the clinical experiences, you will participate in interactive demonstrations and supervised and elective clinical participation in chairside exercises designed to apply your learning from the pre-recorded lectures. You will be encouraged to participate in peer-to-peer comprehensive head/neck TMJ and muscle exams, functional cranial nerve exam and provocation testing for trigger points. All appropriate materials, equipment, instruments, and PPE needed to participate in the workshop will be provided by the AADSM and are included in the registration fee. Oral TMD splints consisting of various materials and design features will be manufactured and ready for small groups to practice delivery on faculty only. These delivery exercises will focus on insertion considerations, possible adjustment techniques and patient coaching.

Learning Lab Experiences

During these small group, roundtable discussions. you will treatment plan real patient cases including straight forward and complex pain complaints, pre-treatment vs MAD treatment emergent TMD, trigger point pain patterns, treatment planning, conservative management strategies, and collaborating with external specialist for more advanced interventions.

The TMD for the DSM Dentist Workshop will be conducted as a live, in-person educational activity. The workshop will be comprised of lectures, roundtable discussions, interactive demonstrations and supervised and elective clinical participation, and question and answer sessions.

Registration for the workshop includes access to online, pre-recorded lectures in the AADSM Online Learning Center. The recordings will be released in late 2025. Access to these recordings is indefinite and will never be revoked.

Dentists who treat OSA with OAT and have an interest in managing TMD symptoms.

The schedule for the workshop is being finalized and will be available soon, in addition to an outline of the topics and speaker for the pre-recorded lectures.

Here are the start and end times each day of the in-person workshop:

Saturday, February 28, 2026 (7:30am-5:15pm) - Sunday, March 1, 2026 (7:30am-2:15pm)

Coming Soon!

The AADSM is establishing a block of sleeping rooms at a hotel near the University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry where the workshop will take place. More information, including a link to book a room at a discounted rate, will be available here. Those who register for the workshop will be notified when this information becomes available.

The AADSM is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.

The AADSM designates this activity for approximately 12 self-instructional/electronically mediate continuing education credits and 10-12 live, in-person continuing education credits.

All registrants will be required to read and acknowledge the following informed consent when registering.

I understand it is my choice to participate in the clinical skills taught, performed and/or demonstrated on course participants and faculty. Clinical skills include:

• Performing a comprehensive examination focused on signs and symptoms of Temporomandibular Dysfunction.
• Palpation techniques for evaluating muscle, joint and trigger point pain.
• Evaluation of mandibular jaw movements.
• Identifying landmarks for therapeutic pain injections although no injections will be performed during the workshop.

I understand it is my choice to participate in a faculty led anatomical review of the Temporomandibular Joint and related musculature at a university hosted dissection laboratory at the UIC Medical College. During this portion of the workshop, I understand that:

• PPE including disposable gowns, caps, masks and gloves will be available for my use.
• I may choose to observe only.
• I may choose to touch previously dissected, and formaldehyde preserved specimens with gloved hands only.
• I will not be using any blade or sharp instrument, nor will I be performing any dissection.
• I will be required to participate in a 10-minute training on formaldehyde safety in order to enter the laboratory.
• I will be required to sign the university’s visitor form should I choose to participate. 

Should I choose to participate:

• I hereby release the AADSM and their agents, representatives and assigns from any responsibility or liability for any injury, illness, reactions, or damages arising from my participation.
• I consent to be interviewed about my health conditions and have an exam and consultation as part of the TMD Workshop, which may be presented before course participants and faculty.
• I understand that full participation in the TMD Workshop requires that I consent to role-play as a patient for the purpose of a visual examination of my intraoral structures, manual palpation of my craniofacial muscles, Temporomandibular Joint, and measurements of my jaw movements. I understand that if I choose not to participate in this manner, I am still required to observe other participants.
• I understand that I will NOT receive an oral appliance for my personal use after the TMD Workshop.
• I certify that I have read the contents of this informed consent, am aware of the benefits or potential harms from my participation in the clinical skills given my training in dental sleep medicine and will comply with any applicable dental licensure laws and/or equivalent laws.
• I understand that it is my right to discontinue my participation in the clinical skills at any time. However, should I choose to do so, my attendance for the duration of the workshop in the form of observation is still required to receive CE credits.
• I recognized that AADSM has advised me to review my professional liability coverage and licensure laws to make sure that it includes coverage for training and educational activities sponsored by the AADSM.

Questions or concerns about participation in the TMD for the DSM Dentist Workshop can be directed to Dr. Trish Braga, AADSM Director of Education, at info@aadsm.org.

AADSM, as the course provider, and the course instructors will follow all applicable standards for patient consent and protection during the training. As a course participant, you should be aware of the ADA CERP standards (specifically Standard XIII. Patient Protection) that AADSM, the course instructors and you as a participant are expected to follow.

Cancelation Policy
The AADSM reserves the right to cancel a course and provide a full refund should conditions warrant. The refund will only include the cost of registration for the course.

A 50% refund of the registration fee will be provided on cancelations postmarked on or prior to January 30, 2026. Individuals who cancel their registration for the in-person workshop will not lose access to pre-recorded lectures. To cancel a registration, written notification must be submitted to the AADSM at aheller@aadsm.org by January 30, 2026. After January 30, 2026, no refunds will be available.

Refunds will not be applied to the original payment source (i.e., credit card). Any refunds processed by the AADSM will be paid by check to individuals in the US (or e-payment to individuals who chose to set up an account in Bill.com) and by wire transfer to individuals outside of the US.

Endorsement
Any opinion expressed or communicated regarding any product, device or appliance during an AADSM educational program is solely the opinion of the individual(s) expressing or communicating that opinion, and not that of the AADSM.

The AADSM does not endorse or recommend any products or services. The AADSM does not review, investigate, or otherwise approve the quality, type, message, nature, or value of any product or service discussed in the course and assumes no liability of any kind for any verbal or written information provided by speakers or attendees. We encourage you to conduct your own independent research to verify and investigate any company prior to purchasing its products or services. Please consult your own professional legal, financial and medical advisors for advice concerning any products or services discussed.

As a result, AADSM disclaims any warranty or guarantee about the performance of any recommended product, device or service. AADSM provides a forum for the discussion of best practices in the field, but participants agree by attendance at AADSM events that AADSM has no liability or responsibility for any clinical or other outcomes from the matters discussed at their meetings.

The AADSM cautions participants about the potential risks of using limited knowledge when incorporating techniques and procedures into practice when they have not had supervised clinical experience or demonstrated competency.

Confirmation and Registration Disclaimer
An email confirmation will be sent after online registration is completed.

AADSM Code of Conduct
Please click here to review the AADSM’s official guidelines and requirements for behavior in an AADSM meeting. All course participants must observe all standards at all times. Violations of this code are taken seriously and may result in action including, but not limited, to limiting the ability to participate in the TMD for the DSM Dentist Workshop.

Photography/ Recording Policy
Photography and/or recording of any kind (other than by the AADSM) of sessions and/or speakers is strictly prohibited.

COVID-19 and Mitigation of Infectious Illness
If a participant is not feeling well, they are encouraged to seek appropriate medical assistance and not attend a public meeting. Specifically, COVID-19 is an endemic virus, and participants are expected to follow all local, state and federal regulations concerning mitigation of the COVID-19 virus or other illnesses where public health authorities have provided advisories regarding public meetings. AADSM supports participants, staff, guests and vendors who voluntarily choose to use masks to reduce their risk of exposure to COVID-19 and other illnesses. Participants should respect the personal boundaries that others may have due to their desire to mitigate the risk COVID-19 and other infectious illnesses. AADSM assumes no liability for illness caused by COVID-19 or other illnesses. Meeting participants assume the risk of attending public meetings and should exercise precautions appropriate to their circumstances.