Current Concepts in Dentistry Day 3

Course description

Understanding Orofacial Pain, TMD, and Sleep Disorders for Better Patient Care

Monday, Nov. 9, 2026
Presented by Edmund Liem, DDS

For many, the terms orofacial pain, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are mysterious. These chronic conditions significantly impact the physical and mental health of patients. Understanding these conditions is invaluable for healthcare practitioners and their aides.

This course will introduce you to these conditions and their interrelations. It will discuss their prevalence and symptomatology, illustrating how these conditions affect patients' health and quality of life. The course will also cover treatment approaches, options and prevention strategies. Several case studies will be presented.

Learning objectives

By end of the course, you will be able to:

• Recognize the signs and symptoms of orofacial pain, TMD and sleep disorders
• Understand the prevalence and correlations between these conditions
• Comprehend the impact of these conditions on the physical and mental health of patients
• Gain a basic understanding of the TMJ functional anatomy
• Develop insight into treatment options and outcome expectations for these conditions

About the presenter

Edmund Liem, DDS, graduated from the University of Nijmegen in the Netherlands in January 1979. He practiced general dentistry privately in the city of Nijmegen until 1994. In 1994, he moved to Canada and continued his general practice in Chilliwack, BC, until 2016. He pursued his interest in orthodontics, TMD, and sleep disordered breathing, accumulating over 2,000 hours of continuing education in these fields. He has earned six diplomates and three fellowship statuses from various organizations.

Dr. Liem is a past president of the Canadian Chapter of the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain (AACP). His current professional passion lies in disseminating knowledge about the significant and often underrated role that dentistry plays in pediatric and adult sleep disorders. He is currently retired from clinical practice. His last office was in Burnaby, BC, focusing exclusively on treating pediatric and adult craniofacial and sleep disorders.

Dr. Liem has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.