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Category 1 Course

Diagnosis and Management of Temporomandibular Disorders

Speakers: Dr. Iacopo Cioffi, Dr. Bruce Freeman and Dr. Sid Lisser

January 23–24, 2026

Category 1 course approved by the RCDSO

Course Description

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are the most common cause of nondental orofacial pain, and the second most frequent painful musculoskeletal disorder after chronic low back pain. TMD affect 1/6 Canadians, mostly women. Painful TMD can affect the muscles of mastication and/or the temporomandibular joints and are characterized primarily by spontaneous pain, or pain associated with jaw function, and TMJ sounds. Although TMD can cause considerable personal suffering, there is still misconception about TMD which leads to misdiagnosis and ineffective treatments. This two-day intensive course aims to provide general practitioners and dental specialists with the most updated evidence-based information about diagnosis and management of TMD.

  • Upon completion of the course, participants will:

    1. Understand the pathophysiology of TMD;
    2. Understand the role of psychosocial factors in TMD;
    3. Understand the relationship between dental occlusion, bruxism, and temporomandibular disorders;
    4. Learn how to use a variety of instruments to collect clinically relevant information for proper screening and management of patients with TMD;
    5. Learn how to perform a full TMD clinical exam and how to use evidence-based diagnostic criteria to make a successful clinical diagnosis;
    6. Implement conservative management strategies for TMD;
    7. Understand the role of pharmacology in managing TMD;
    8. Appreciate the value of an interprofessional approach to manage patients with chronic pain.
  • Please arrive within 30 minutes before the course start time to sign in.

    Hotels & Parking

  • Friday, January 23, 2026
    8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

    Chestnut Conference Centre
    89 Chestnut Street, Toronto
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    Saturday, January 24, 2026
    8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

    Chestnut Conference Centre
    89 Chestnut Street, Toronto
    View Map Opens in new tab.

  • Complimentary coffee/tea and lunch are provided for course participants. Please indicate any dietary restrictions upon registration.

    Hands-on materials and equipment are provided for participants to use in the course.

  • Cancellations made more than 10 calendar days before the course start date will receive a full refund. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 10 calendar days of the course start date.

    Refunds will not be issued for registrants who do not attend, regardless of reason for absence.

    Registrations cannot be transferred to another individual.

    To cancel your registration, please follow the link and instructions provided in the registration confirmation email. If you are eligible for a refund, the refund will be processed automatically upon cancellation. Please allow 3-5 business days for the transaction to be completed.

    Continuing Dental Education (University of Toronto) reserves the right to cancel courses due to insufficient registrations, instructor cancellation, or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. In the event of course cancellation, a full refund will be issued, and registrants will be notified promptly. We are not liable for any associated losses, damages, or expenses, including travel and accommodations.

  • After completing this course, a certificate of completion that indicates the number of Continuing Education (CE) points earned will be sent to you within 7-10 days by email.

Speakers

Dr. Cioffi is a full-time tenured Associate Professor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry. As a clinician-scientist, he specializes in temporomandibular disorders (TMD), the functional anatomy of the masticatory system, and orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.

Dr. Cioffi received his training in dentistry, orthodontics, and TMD at the University of Naples Federico II in Italy. He completed a PhD program in oral sciences and a clinical specialty program in orthodontics at the same institution. During his training, he also gained experience at the Clinic of Masticatory Disorders, Centre for Dental Medicine, University of Zurich (Switzerland), and the Department of Functional Anatomy at ACTA (Amsterdam, the Netherlands). Additionally, he completed the dental specialty training and assessment training program (DSATP, orthodontics) at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Cioffi is a board-certified orthodontist and a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada.

See Dr. Cioffi’s full academic profile

Dr. Freeman is an honours graduate of the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto where he is Assistant Professor. He completed the Advanced Education in General Dentistry program at the Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, New York, and his Diploma in Orthodontics and his Master of Science degree in the field of orofacial pain at the University of Toronto.  He is Co-Director of the Hospital Dental Residency Program and Facial Pain Unit at Mount Sinai Hospital where he participates in research and cares for patients with complex facial pain disorders in addition to training the hospital dental residents and specialty dental residents. Dr. Freeman is also a facial pain consultant in the Department of Neurosurgery at Toronto Western Hospital and The Wasser Pain Management Centre at Mt. Sinai Hospital. Dr. Freeman lectures internationally on clinical orthodontics, facial pain, patient experience, mindful communication, and virtual surgical planning. Dr. Freeman is a certified yoga instructor with additional training in breathing techniques, meditation, and trauma informed movement.

Find Dr. Freeman on Instagram

Dr. Lisser is a licensed chiropractor registered with the College of Chiropractors of Ontario and a graduate of the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, with over 20 years of clinical experience. He serves as the Lead Clinician at the Jaw and Facial Pain Centre, specializing in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and headaches.

Dr. Lisser is currently an appointed instructor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry and serves as an Associate Scientist at the Facial Pain Clinic within Mount Sinai Hospital’s Department of Dentistry. Dr. Lisser is active in training hospital dental residents and oversees externs from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College Externship Program.

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