The programme is organised by the department of Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction. Professor Frank Lobbezoo and dr. Michail Koutris are the directors of the postgraduate programme.
Professor Lobbezoo received his PhD degree in 1992 from the University of Utrecht, where he also received his specialist training in TMD/Orofacial Pain. Between 1993 and 1996, he was appointed as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Professor Lobbezoo is currently a full professor, at ACTA, and chair of the Department of Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction.
Dr. Michail Koutris graduated as a dentist from the dental school of the University of Athens. In 2007 he graduated from the 3-year post-graduate course in Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction, and became a NVGPT-recognised Dentist-gnathologist. He is currently an assistant professor at ACTA. He also works as a Dentist-gnathologist in the Hospital Dentistry Clinic of the AMC.
The Department of Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction has a strong reputation in the international research community, teaches at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate level, and treats patients with TMD, orofacial pain, bruxism, sleep apnea, and tooth wear in its own departmental clinic.
Graduation Profile in Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction (OPD)
The aim of this profile is to train postgraduate students in Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction at a specialist level. The discipline OPD encompasses the diagnosis and management of the following clinical problems:
- temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain;
- dental sleep medicine (e.g., sleep bruxism, obstructive sleep apnea);
- tooth wear.
The clinical part of the programme deals with the diagnosis and management of the 3 clinical problems, including the restoration of extensive tooth wear. The theoretical part of the programme includes a variety of relevant courses that are all based on the principles of evidence-based dentistry. Participation in one of the ongoing research projects of the department is part of the training programme as well. After a 3-year training, the OPD-specialist is knowledgeable on all aspects of Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction, and able to diagnose and treat patients according to the principles of evidence-based dentistry. Further, the OPD-specialist will be able to coordinate the multidisciplinary approach that is frequently necessary in the management of these patients, or to participate in such an approach in cooperation with medical disciplines. OPD-specialists will not only be able to perform their tasks in the general dental office, but may also join the staff of centres for special dental care or university departments.
Diploma
After passing the final exams and after submission to a peer-reviewed journal of an article (approved by the senior scientists of the section) about the research that was performed as part of the programme, the candidate can apply for a Clinical Specialty Certificate in TMD/Orofacial Pain (‘tandarts-gnatholoog’), issued by the ‘Nederlandse Vereniging voor Gnathologie en Prothetische Tandheelkunde’ (NVGPT). A joint master’s degree in Oral Health Sciences will be awarded by both the University of Amsterdam and VU Amsterdam.
