University of California, Los Angeles
- California
- Orofacial Pain
- dentistry.ucla.edu
Program Contact
The UCLA Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction Postgraduate Training Program is a postgraduate certificate program renowned for providing hands-on experience in treating headache, neuropathic pain disorders, TMJ disorders, and obstructive sleep apnea. Heavy emphasis is placed on learning a medical model for assessing and treating patients, including developing competencies in neurological, stomatognathic, myofascial, and psychological assessment of patients.
The comprehensive curriculum includes didactic, clinical, and clinical research components. Most notable are the didactic components because very little of the required pain sciences are presented in predoctoral or traditional dental specialty training programs. Individuals who successfully complete this program will be competent in the basic and applied pain sciences as well as very knowledgeable regarding the science and literature about the more traditional dental and TMD/TMJ approaches. Topics include neurology, neuroanatomy, and neurological exam; laboratory and behavioral medicine; neurobiology of pain; neuropathic pain; headache disorders; musculoskeletal and myofascial pain disorders; pharmacotherapeutics for pain and pain management; TMJ disorders, sleep apnea, and orofacial dystonias; and occlusion.
Clinical experience is hands-on following an initial on-boarding (training) period. Initially, more TMD patients will be assigned, and then the patient assignments will be expanded to more chronic pain profiles. The UCLA program gives treatment experience involving the whole spectrum of orofacial pain conditions as well as traditional temporomandibular disorders rather than simply screening, diagnosing, and referring for treatment.
Clinical or applied research is an option for those who are interested. Postgraduates may choose to be involved in research in the area of clinical outcome measures for pain, sleep disordered breathing, headache, and/or neuropathic pain.
Program Information
| Accreditation | This program is accredited by CODA |
|---|---|
| Program Type | Orofacial Pain |
| Program Code | OFP91 |
| Degrees Offered | Certificate, Masters |
| Program Size | 4 |
| Program Length | 24 months |
| Application Deadline | October 15 |
| Program Start Date | July 1 |
| Supplemental Application | Yes |
| Supplemental Fee | Yes |
| Stipend Offered | Yes |
| Match Participating | No |
| Program Website | dentistry.ucla.edu |
Application Requirements
Required Standardized Tests
- INBDE
- NBDE1
- NBDE2
- TOEFL
- Passing the INBDE before matriculation into the advanced dental education program
- Official TOEFL scores for international applicants
Supplemental Requirements
- Requires supplemental application
- Requires supplemental fee
Transcript Evaluation and Instructions
- Submit transcripts to PASS
- If applying as an international resident, ECI grading equivilent transcripts must be submitted.
Letters of Evaluation Instructions
3 Letters of Evalution submitted on PASS.
Faculty can upload directly to PASS & send a letter on stationary with their signature
TOEFL Requirement Instructions
- TOEFL is required for applicants from non-CODA accredited dental schools
- Combined score of 98 recommended
Other Requirement Instructions
Links to UCLA Dentistry Website
GME Applicants (US trained): https://dentistry.ucla.edu/academics-admissions/residency-training-programs/orofacial-pain-and-dysfunction
International Residents: https://dentistry.ucla.edu/academics-admissions/programs-for-international-dentists/residency-programs/orofacial-pain-and-dysfunction
Please review the requirements on our website
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 (applicant must obtain their own sponsorship)
- Look for International fees and Visa fees
Interview Schedule
Interviews will be held on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
Candidates selected to interview will be sent an individualized Zoom schedule , listing times of interviews with various faculty members. The interview times for each person are brief so it is best to be prepared.
No changes in date and times for interviews. Keep the entire day open. More details later.
Additional Information
*If INBDE is taken instead of NBDE 1 & 2, it must be reported on PASS and official scores must be sent to postdds@dentistry.ucla.edu
Application to the Graduate Orofacial Pain residency program does not require submission of GRE scores unless the applicant is intending to apply for the Oral Biology Masters or PHD programs.
Transcripts with ECI evaluations
Stipend is for GME US residents. International Residents pay tuition fees.