Temporomandibular Joint Disorders in the Pediatric Dental Practice
James Howard, DDS
Lecture
Each year the UW Pediatric Dentistry hosts a continuing dental education course in honor of founding Chair, Dr. David Law, and early faculty member and Chair, Dr. Thompson Lewis. These lectures provide dental practitioners with relevant information pertaining to current practice of pediatric dentistry. This year’s topic will cover temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) in the pediatric dental practice.
Course Description:
While not a common occurrence, children and adolescents do present with manifestations of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). The pediatric dentist’s awareness of early signs and symptoms of TMD can minimize treatment, facilitate quicker resolution and prevent progression.
The three widely recognized etiologies for TMD are parafunction, mandibular trauma and systemic ligament laxity (generalized joint hypermobility). Historically malocclusion has been considered an etiology, but based upon scientific evidence, the association between malocclusion and TMD remains controversial.
Treatment strategies based upon the etiologies and diagnostic categories will be discussed.
Course Objectives:
As a result of attending this program, you will be able to:
- Identify significant clinical, history, and imaging findings for children and adolescents with TMJ Disorders.
- Differentiate etiologic factors for TMJ disorders.
- Explain the diagnostic categories related to TMJ disorders.
- Discuss the overlap between bruxism, sleep related disorders, and TMJ dysfunction.
- Implement and coordinate multidisciplinary TMD treatment when appropriate.
Instructor
Dr. James Howard graduated from the University of Washington School of Dentistry in 1976 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in 1979. He has held faculty positions in Restorative Dentistry and in the Orthodontic department and is currently an Affiliate Associate Professor in Pediatric Dentistry. He has authored numerous articles and textbook chapters. Dr. Howard has evaluated over 16,000 TMD and Facial Pain patients, including over 2,000 children and adolescents seen at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Center for Pediatric Dentistry.
Disclosures:
- Dr. Howard has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
- The staff of the University of Washington Office of Continuing Dental Education have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Course Logistics
DATE:
Friday, May 8, 2026
LOCATION:
Mountaineers Seattle Program Center
7700 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98155
TARGET AUDIENCE:
This course is designed for pediatric dentists and other dental professionals interested in temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) affecting pediatric patients.
TIMES:
Registration and Continental Breakfast: 8:00am – 8:30am
Course: 8:30am – 12:30pm
Luncheon: 12:30pm – 1:30pm
TUITION – price includes lunch
Until May 6, 2026 (after, $50 more)
$325/Dentist
$225/Team member (hygienist, dental assistant, etc.)
$292/Current Dental Alumni Member
CREDITS:
4 hours
* This course is eligible for a 10% discount if you are a current member of the UW Dental Alumni Association.
Conflict of Interest
In accordance with the ADA CERP Standard V., everyone involved in planning or presenting this educational activity will be required to disclose any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests and this information will be made available to participants at the start of the course.
As a continuing education provider, University of Washington Continuing Dental Education is responsible for ensuring the content, quality and scientific integrity of all continuing dental education activities for which credit is provided. The School is also responsible for taking steps to protect against and/or disclose any conflict of interest of the faculty/instructors presenting those courses.
Cancellation and Refunds
For this in person lecture, a registration refund, minus a $50 cancellation fee, will be issued for cancellations received by Thursday, May 7, 2026. Registration will remain open until Wednesday, May 6, 2026- however we will accept walk-in registrations (based on space availability) the day of the class, Friday, May 8, 2026 with an additional $50 late fee. NO REFUNDS requests will be accepted after Thursday, May 7, 2026. Cancellations must be received in email to dentalce@uw.edu The cancellation request must include: the name of the course, name of the person registered, name of the person requesting the cancellation, and the reason for the cancellation.
By providing my information, I consent to receive communication via mail, email, fax, and phone from the University of Washington Continuing Dental Education office. The Continuing Dental Education office will not share your information with anyone.
Dental education institutions have an obligation to disseminate new knowledge related to dental practice. In so doing, some presentations may include controversial materials or commercial references. Sponsorship of a continuing education course by the University of Washington does not necessarily imply endorsement of a particular philosophy, procedure, or product by this institution.
The University of Washington Continuing Dental Education cautions continuing dental education participants that there are potential risks of using limited knowledge when incorporating new techniques and procedures into the practice of dentistry, especially when the continuing education course has not provided supervised clinical experience and/or competency tests in the techniques or procedures.
Contact Us
Register for Courses
Have a question or need help registering for a course? Contact us.
Local: (206) 543-5448
Toll Free: (866) 791-1278
Email: dentalce@uw.edu
University of Washington
Continuing Dental Education
Box 357137
Seattle, WA 98195-7137
The University of Washington is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.
ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.
This continuing education activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the standards of the ADA Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA CERP).
The University of Washington is a member of the Association for Continuing Dental Education.
University of Washington designates this activity for 4 continuing education credits.