I have been a Profitable Dentist subscriber for many years. I’m now writing to tell dentists about an outstanding source of information, Dr. Terrence O’Shaughnessy. Dr. "O" presents four seminars that are outstanding. The topics are TMJ Imaging, TMJ Treatment, TMJ/Physical Therapy and Medical/Dental/ Legal. The seminars are both entertaining and informative.

The cost of the "Legal" seminar was recovered within two weeks with just one idea I got from Dr. "O". I returned to Sacramento and gave a deposition about a patient who had been an accident. I was paid $1,000 as the expert treating clinician (family dentist) for TWO HOURS time. I had not realized that we can get paid for our time testifying on behalf of our patients. And the attorney paid this IN ADVANCE.

I have taken many courses concerning TMJ ranging from The Pankey Institute and Peter Dawson to John Witzig, Terry Tanaka, and Charles McNeill. In my opinion, Dr. O’Shaughnessy’s courses are the best and the most useful. Dr. "O" covers all the modern diagnostic techniques such as tomography, joint vibrational analysis, electromyography (EMG) and others. You can learn to differentiate normal tissues and structures from pathology. Dr. "O" clearly teaches the causation and sequelae of these pathologic changes. He explains how to relate clearly the myriad of symptoms and signs that chronic pain/TMJ patients present with.

Dr. "O" is one of the most highly respected and highly credentialed individuals in his field. A board certified orthodontist, Terry "O" has published numerous scientific articles and is one of only two doctors ever honored with the Bronson Award from the American Association of Functional Orthodontics. He has pioneered diagnostic imaging techniques for documenting damage to the TM joint.

There is no marketing of other products and services at Dr. "O" seminars. There are no tables of merchandisers shilling the products being pushed by the lecturer. Dr. "O" gets no kick-backs or honoraria to promote any brand names. The seminars are kept small to maximize the opportunity to learn.

The "TMJ/Physical Therapy" seminar is presented in conjunction with Ruth Levinson, a very knowledgeable, hands-on physical therapist. The TMJ patients always present with associated cervical-spinal and other physical ailments. Terry and Ruth teach the basics of physical evaluation, the causes for the physical problems and enough physical therapy to understand the patient needs. This allows dentists to work in conjunction with P.T.s to help the patient regain maximum function.

The Legal seminar is a must for any dentist seeking either to protect him/herself from baseless suits or to advance our patient’s cause in the legal arena when needed. Personal injury attorney Michael Brown presents two live samples of the legal system. The first is a mock deposition of an attendee by opposing counsel. The second is a mock, but ruthless cross-examination of an attendee doctor. Mike Brown is a shark and just watching him work was worth the price of admission.

These seminars are not for everyone. If you are looking for fast, cheap CE credits, don’t bother with these seminars. If you are tired of convoluted treatment protocols or the "appliance du jour" approach; or if you wish to help your TMJ and pain patients; prevent TMJ injuries during dental care; turn the tables on some of the attorneys; or protect yourself from lawsuits, then you should hear Dr. "O".

I am so enthusiastic about these courses not just because of the course content, but because I am a trauma victim and chronic pain patient. I was not in a car accident. I did not get hit by a baseball bat. I was a successful, healthy 42 year old general dentist enjoying my practice, my family, and life in general. I suffered a traumatic, iatrogenic injury from a prosthodontist during what should have been a routine, simple restorative treatment like that performed in general dental practices everyday. THIRTY SECONDS OF CARELESS OUT-DATED TECHNIQUE TURNED INTO THREE YEARS OF HELL.

Detailed in an upcoming journal article, my story is one that could happen to any dental patient. Spiraling downward physically following the injury to both joints, I tried various treatment modalities including those used in my own office. Treatment regimes from two renowned TMJ/pain centers did not help. I have treated pain patients for almost fifteen years. I have over 6 TMJ CEs from the best clinicians in the country and yet I could not really grasp the causes and consequences of my problem.

I met Dr. "O" and now understand exactly how and why this injury happened and what the predictable progression of the injury would be and has been. I was so impressed with the depth and breadth of his knowledge, that I travel form Sacramento, California to his office in Boston for treatment. The downward cascade of pain and debilitation has now stopped. I am getting better but I still face a long road back. I will never fully recover. TMJ injuries are permanent!

If you treat TMJ, you owe it to your patients to hear Dr. "O". If you don’t treat TMJ, you still owe it to your patients in order to protect them from inadvertent injury. More importantly, you owe it to yourself. It doesn’t matter which side of the teeter-totter you play on, the one with the joint, or the one with teeth, our first precept as doctors is "DO NO HARM!"

As a matter of public record, I pay full fee for the seminars and my treatment (and do it gladly). I pay my own travel expenses and hotel bills. I have been a guest once at the O’Shaughnessy home during a treatment visit, as have other out-of-state of foreign patients.

I have not received, and would not take any material or monetary compensation for my endorsement! Neither Dr. "O" nor his staff know anything about this letter/article. I am writing this solely, as Dr. L.D. Pankey stated so succinctly, "with gratitude and appreciation."

Moreover, I address this letter to the profession that has been so very good to me, and to the truly caring, ethically and intellectually, honest practitioners that make up the vast majority of dentists with the hope that not one more of our patients has to experience the problems that I have.

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