FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local Contact:
CRANIOFACIAL PAIN ASSOCIATES OF OKLAHOMA
Liz Bennie 405-321-8030
lbennie@tmj-pain.com

Craniofacial Pain Associates Teams With University Of Oklahoma Dental School To Underscore The Importance Of Continued Research Into Non-Surgical Treatment Of Headache, Neck And Facial Pain And Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD/TMJ)

New Research Award to be Developed, Sponsored and Offered Annually by Dr. Robert L. Talley, DDS to a Qualified, Graduate or Undergraduate Student Enrolled in OU College of Dentistry

March 8, 2005 – Norman, OK – Dr. Robert L. Talley voiced support of non-surgical treatment options for patients who suffer from headaches, temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD/TMJ) and other types of head, neck and facial pain by announcing a decision to create – and sponsor – an annual award to be presented to a University of Oklahoma dental school student engaged in study of TMD and Craniofacial Pain. The award will be offered for the first time at OU Research Day on April 6, 2005, and annually thereafter. It is intended to focus attention on Craniofacial Pain and TMD and underscore the importance of ongoing, non-surgically based research within this field of dentistry.

Women are most affected by TMD, but men and children can also suffer from jaw-joint related pain and dysfunction, too. Often called “the great imposter,” signs and symptoms of TMD may include some or all of the following: headaches, earaches, neck pain or stiffness, dizziness and jaw joint clicking or popping. The variety of TMD symptoms among patients with TMD makes this medical condition difficult for even a skilled physician to diagnose. According to Dr. Talley, “TMD can have one or many causes, which helps us understand why there are so many potential avenues for research available to today’s dental students – and why it is so needed. These are exciting fields within dentistry and medicine – fields that are continually improving.”

TMD is a medical problem that affects more than 10.8 million people in the U.S., according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research of the National Institutes of Health. It is often referred to as “TMJ,” an abbreviation for “temporomandibular joint.” Although there is no “cure” for TMD, more than 95% of all patients can be treated successfully – without prolonged drug use or surgery of any kind. Despite this fact, Dr. Talley, who serves as Program Chairman for the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain and has limited his practice to diagnosis and treatment of TMD, Craniofacial Pain and Sleep Disorders since 1983, points out that “not all dentists have the appropriate training or expertise to accurately diagnose and conservatively treat TMD. This is one reason why acknowledging graduate and undergraduate school student interest in this field of dentistry is so very important.”

ABOUT CRANIOFACIAL PAIN ASSOCIATES OF OKLAHOMA (www.tmj-pain.com)
Craniofacial Pain Associates of Oklahoma is directed toward conservative (non-surgical) care through interdisciplinary management of patients who suffer from sleep-disordered breathing (i.e., snoring and sleep apnea), temporomandibular disorders, plus headache, neck and facial pain. In addition to multiple board certifications and more than thirty (30) years of clinical experience, active involvement in professional organizations, plus ongoing research allows Dr. Talley to stay on the leading edge of craniofacial pain and TM disorders and provide patients who suffer from them with the most innovative techniques available.