CDE1729 - The Many Faces of Toothache: A Practical Approach to Evaluation of Non-odontogenic Facial Pain

Course Description

When a toothache strikes, most patients automatically assume that it’s the direct result of a structural defect involving the tooth. However, there are many faces of toothaches, and the etiology is not always that straightforward.  As clinicians, it is crucial to identify non-dental causes of toothaches and use caution when managing these cases. This course will use a case-based format to review the classification, clinical presentations, evaluation, and differential diagnosis of neuropathic, headache, and musculoskeletal conditions affecting the orofacial region that can sometimes mimic toothaches.

Learner Outcomes

Upon course completion, you will:

• Know how to complete a detailed history and examination of orofacial pain patients
• Be familiar with the clinical presentations of neuropathic pain, headache disorders, and musculoskeletal conditions and how they differ from odontogenic pain
• Know how to utilize diagnostic techniques in the differential diagnosis of orofacial pain
• Be familiar with muscle referral patterns of pain in the head and neck
• Understand the importance of interdisciplinary management and indications for referral to dental and medical specialists

Notes

Speaker

Dr. Chizobam Idahosa

Dr. Chizobam Idahosa is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Medicine. She is currently an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Oral Medicine at Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry and has a private oral medicine practice in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  Dr. Idahosa received her B.D.S. from the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria, and her D.D.S. from New York University College of Dentistry. She completed her General Practice Residency training at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, followed by private practice as a general dentist in Pittsburgh, PA.  Her training continued at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, where she completed her post-doctoral training in Oral Medicine and a Master of Science in Oral Biology.  Dr. Idahosa has lectured and published articles on topics related to Oral Medicine and received a Case Report Award from the American Academy of Oral Medicine. She is a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society, and she received the Robert Schattner Award for Outstanding Oral Medicine Resident from the University of Pennsylvania.  Her clinical interests include orofacial pain, temporomandibular disorders, oral mucosal disorders, oral oncology, and salivary gland disorders.