Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
Last updated on June 4, 2025.

Rutgers School of Dental Medicine

Program Size
4
Program Length
24 months
Application Deadline
October 15
Program Start
July 1

Program Contact

Gary M. Heir, DMD Diplomate, American Board of Orofacial Pain Program Director

Rutgers School of Dental Medicine

Center for Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain

110 Bergen Street

Newark, New Jersey, 07101

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Rutgers Orofacial Pain Postgraduate Program Overview

The Rutgers Orofacial Pain program, originally established in the early 1980s under UMDNJ, is one of the earliest orofacial pain post graduate programs in the United States. Since its inception, it has evolved into a comprehensive, CODA-accredited postgraduate training program in orofacial pain.

Post-graduates receive their clinical training at the Center for Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. The program provides a deep understanding of the biological mechanisms and clinical management of orofacial pain conditions.

Interdisciplinary Training

Post-graduates benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration with a range of medical specialties, including sleep medicine, rheumatology, physiatry, movement disorders, neurology, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, psychology, physical therapy, and headache medicine. These rotations enrich their clinical perspective and enhance their ability to manage complex cases.

Curriculum Structure

The program consists of three integrated components: didactic instruction, clinical training, and research.

Didactic: Component Post-graduates will participate in weekly lectures on Orofacial Pain, Temporomandibular Disorders, Dental Sleep Medicine, and Interdisciplinary Care. Weekly rounds and case-based discussions with faculty promote interactive learning. Additionally, post-graduates attend a weekly Core Curriculum lecture to meet the academic requirements of the Master of Science degree.

Clinical Component: A significant portion of the program is dedicated to hands-on clinical training. Under close faculty supervision, post-graduates gain experience in evaluating, diagnosing, and managing patients with temporomandibular disorders, orofacial pain conditions, and sleep-related breathing disorders. Interdisciplinary care is a key element throughout the clinical experience, reinforcing a comprehensive approach to patient management.

Research Component: As part of the Master of Science degree, post-graduates are required to undertake a research project. Working with a mentor, they will design and implement a study, collect and analyze data, and defend a Masters thesis. Post-graduates also learn to critque scientific literature, gaining the skills necessary to evaluate current practices and apply evidence-based decision-making.

Program Highlights

Fully CODA-accredited since 2009, the Rutgers program accepts four full-time residents each year. The faculty includes nationally and internationally recognized leaders in the field of orofacial pain. This rigorous two-year, full-time program prepares graduates for careers in the specialty of Orofacial for private practice, academia, or hybrid clinical-academic roles.

 

 

Program Information

Accreditation This program is accredited by CODA
Program Type Orofacial Pain
Program Code OFP75
Degrees Offered Certificate, Masters
Program Size 4
Program Length 24 months
Application Deadline October 15
Program Start Date July 1
Supplemental Application No
Supplemental Fee No
Stipend Offered No
Match Participating No
Program Website sdm.rutgers.edu

Application Requirements

Required Standardized Tests

  • INBDE
  • NBDE1
  • NBDE2
  • TOEFL

Transcript Evaluation and Instructions

Electronic copy of original dental transcripts.

If applicant has a non-US degree, credentialing is required by the ECE or equivalent. Please select the course-by-course option for the evaluation. National Board Dental Examination scores are required. 

Letters of Evaluation Instructions

Two letters of recommendation are required to be submitted on behalf of the applicant through the ADEA PASS website. 

TOEFL Requirement Instructions

TOEFL scores are a requirement/ The minimum acceptable score is 95.

Other Requirement Instructions

A CV is recommended including any publications, research projects, awards and extra-curricular activities. 

International Student Eligibility

This program will consider applicants who graduated, or plan to graduate, from a non-CODA accredited dental school: Yes

Applicants are eligible to enroll if they are:

  • US Citizen
  • US Permanent Resident
  • Canadian Citizen
  • Canadian Permanent Resident
  • Non-US Citizen/Resident (program offers sponsorship)
  • Non-US Citizen/Resident (applicant must obtain their own sponsorship)
  • Other - Contact the program

Interview Schedule

Applicants will be contacted individually and interviews will be conducted via zoom/ in-person on a rolling basis. 

It is recommended that applications be completed and submitted as early as possible.

Additional Information

Must submit Dental School transcripts to the program (in addition to ADEA PASS) and ONLY ECE evaluation is acceptable.