Unit Learning Outcome 27
Explain the clinical examination and tests required to diagnose orofacial pain, including temporomandibular disorders, and explain their management.
- Explain the common causes and mechanisms of orofacial
pain.
o Ability to define, classify, and differentiate between
various mechanisms of pain including orofacial pain.
o Distinguish various pain presentations including acute vs
chronic pain; physiological vs pathophysiological pain
and understand how the biopsychosocial model
contributes to the experience and perception of orofacial
pain.
o Define, classify and discuss the aetiological factors of
temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and understand the
anatomy and function of the temporomandibular joint
(TMJ) and masticatory muscles.
o Learn to perform a comprehensive history for orofacial
pain patients including the e:ective use of examination
tools for TMD assessment, and apply diagnostic criteria
for TMD.
o Understand common intracapsular disorders with regards
to aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, clinical features
and management including subluxation and luxation of
the TMJs.
o Understand common extracapsular disorders with
regards to aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, clinical
features and management.
o Outline the rationale for splint therapy including
mechanisms of action, various types of splint designs,
indications, and the evidence supporting their use in
managing temporomandibular disorders and bruxism.
o Discuss the indications, mechanism of action,
contraindications, side e:ects, and complications of
neuromodulators.
o Outline the aetiology, pathogenesis, clinical features,
diagnosis and management of neuropathic orofacial pain
conditions.
o Describe prevalence, aetiology, pathophysiology, clinical
features, diagnosis and management of various
conditions that may present as non-odontogenic
toothache.
o Describe evolution, epidemiology, risk factors, aetiology
and pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis and
management of bruxism.
o Understand the relationship between sleep and overall
health, identify risk factors for sleep-disordered
breathing, recognise tools for evaluating sleep disorders,
and understand available treatment options, including
e:ective management with oral appliance therapy
Lecture Schedule[^6]
| Date | Day | Start | Finish | Venue | Lecture / Tutorial Topic | Lecturer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17/4/25 | Friday | 9 | 10 | 211 | Defining Orofacial Pain | A/Prof Ramesh Balasubramaniam |
| 17/4/25 | Friday | 10 | 11 | 211 | History and Examination including DC/TMD | A/Prof Ramesh Balasubramaniam |
| 17/4/25 | Friday | 11 | 12 | 211 | Temporomandibular Disorders: Intracapsular Disorders | Supeetha Suntharamoorthy |
| 24/4/26 | Friday | 8 | 9 | 211 | Temporomandibular Disorders: Extracapsular Disorders | Dr. Lalima Tiwari |
| 24/4/26 | Friday | 9 | 10 | 211 | Occlusal Splint Therapy | A/Prof Ramesh Balasubramaniam |
| 24/4/26 | Friday | 10 | 11 | 211 | Botulinum Toxin for Orofacial Pain | Lasanthini Weerakkody |
| 24/4/26 | Friday | 11 | 12 | 211 | Neuropathic Orofacial Pain including Burning Mouth Syndrome | Dr. Amanda Phoon Nguyen |
| 1/5/26 | Friday | 9 | 10 | KJG S | Non-Odontogenic Toothache | A/Prof Ramesh Balasubramaniam |
| 1/5/26 | Friday | 10 | 11 | KJG S | Bruxism | Dr. Amanda Phoon Nguyen |
| 1/5/26 | Friday | 11 | 12 | KJG S | Oral Appliance Therapy for Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea | A/Prof Ramesh Balasubramaniam |
| 15/5/26 | Friday | 8 | 12 | 211 | TUTORIAL: Clinical cases in TMD, OFP and DSM 1 | A/Prof Ramesh Balasubramaniam |
| 22/5/26 | Friday | 8 | 12 | 211 | TUTORIAL: Clinical cases in TMD, OFP and DSM 2 | A/Prof Ramesh Balasubramaniam |
- The first tutorial session involves learning how to think through questions.
- The second tutorial is an open session for student questions and study.
- Today's focus is on Defining Orofacial Pain and History/Examination notes.