We strive to enhance the learning experiences of our students
by providing the delivery of high quality care to patients, in a dynamic academic environment.
About us
Trinity College and The Dublin Dental University Hospital (DDUH) possess the largest dental school in the country. It has an established reputation in its tripartite mission of education, research and patient care. The latter is provided in the only secondary and tertiary care clinics in the country. It possesses a critical mass of academic staff across many disciples, making it attractive for practitioners to complete postgraduate training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Trinity has established this postgraduate certificate course in Orofacial Pain to be delivered in collaboration with the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of University of Southern California. The ESC School was established in 1897 and has shaped talented students into outstanding dentists and dental hygienists since its inception. The Ostrow School of Dentistry is home to some of the brightest names in oral and craniofacial biology, stem cell science, biofilm research, clinical investigation and more.
The proposed new postgraduate certificate course is in one of the most attractive clinical areas for dental practitioners and its format will facilitate those in dental practice. In order to ensure its professional and academic quality the School of Dental Science and the DDUH have teamed up with the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of the University of Southern California which is already delivering a similar certificate course in Orofacial Pain specifically designed for the practicing dental professional who wants to improve skills and gains a world leading expertise to deliver the best care for patients with complex conditions.
Welcome to Trinity College and to a pioneering new program
The certificate in Orofacial Pain has been carefully designed to have a dual role. As a standalone program, it will aim to improve the knowledge of dental professionals in Orofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Joint disorders, but it can also act as a springboard for advanced education and possibly a career in pain diagnosis and management. We endeavour to help you realise your full potential.
The course is taught by the Dublin Dental University Hospital using a blended learning approach through the College Virtual Learning Environment, Blackboard Learn and
Blackboard Collaborate in addition to attendance at the hospital for the didactic and hands on portions of the modules. Although the program is mainly online, I would urge you to take the opportunity to immerse yourself into student life and enjoy this unique experience.
Trinity College is an energetic and vibrant University at the forefront of graduate education and we are confident that this new course will meet and surpass your expectations.
Dr Ioannis Polyzois
Director of Teaching and Learning Postgraduate
Hear from our past students
Get to know our Faculty
Dr. Dermot Canavan
MGDS, MS, Dip Cons Sed
Dr Dermot Canavan is a lecturer in orofacial pain at Dublin Dental University Hospital. Dr Canavan completed his postgraduate training in 1994 at the University of California Los Angeles. During his time in Los Angeles Dr Canavan worked with Prof Glenn Clark, a world renowned expert in orofacial pain research. Dr Canavan has published a significant number of peer reviewed articles on orofacial pain and contributed chapters to several textbooks on headache, endodontics and orofacial pain.
Having worked in Dental Schools in Los Angeles, London and Dublin, Dr Canavan has extensive international experience in teaching in orofacial pain programs.
Dr. Glenn T. Clark
MGDS, MS, Dip Cons Sed
Dr. Glenn Clark is a currently full Professor in the Division of Diagnostic Sciences at the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC and Assistant Dean of Distance Education. He is Director of the Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine Center, Director of the Orofacial Pain 2-year conventional residency program and Director of the 3-year Hybrid-Online Master’s degree program in Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine. Dr. Clark’s academic career began at UCLA and he held various administrative posts including Director of the Clinical Research Center, Director of the Dental Research Institute and Associate Dean of Research.
Dr. Clark began his research work focusing on both temporomandibular disorders and trigeminal motor function and dysfunction including bruxism, dystonia, and chronic myofascial pain disorders of the jaw system. In 1986 Dr. Clark’s expanded his research work to include studies on the diagnosis and treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Dr. Philip Hardy
B.A B,Dent,Sc MSc
Philip Hardy qualified with a B.A B,Dent,Sc from Trinity College, in 1991 after a short career in engineering. He worked for one year in the Dublin Dental Hospital, as a Junior House Officer, and then a further three years as a part-time registrar/teacher in oral surgery. He then spent thirteen years in general practice in Wexford with a special interest in occlusion and orofacial pain.
He returned to fulltime teaching in 2005. Having completed a masters degree in Leadership in Health Professions Education in 2012 he is currently a lecturer in restorative dentistry in the DDUH and up to recently has been the Director of Undergraduate restorative Clinics. One of his specific teaching responsibilities is running the undergraduate courses in occlusion and basic aspects of TMD and orofacial pain.
Dr Michael O’Sullivan
BDentSc MSc FFDRCSI FDSRCS(Ed) PhD
Michael is an Associate Professor/Consultant in Restorative Dentistry at the Dublin Dental School University Hospital, Trinity College Dublin. He is currently Head of the Division of Restorative Dentistry and Periodontology Dentistry. He has taught in the area of Occlusion and Function for over 25 years and is Director of Graduate Prosthodontics Programme.
Dr Neysan Chah
B.A., B.Dent.Sc., Msc. OFPOM., Dip. ABOP.
Dr. Neysan Chah is a graduate of the Dublin Dental University Hospital and graduated top of his class from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California where he completed his Masters in Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine before obtaining Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain. During his postgraduate studies, Dr. Chah had the unique opportunity to learn from some of the world leaders and pioneers in the field of orofacial pain and dental sleep medicine – chief among them Prof Glenn T. Clark.
Having spent many years in private general dental practice, Dr. Chah has a special interest and keen understanding in the dental management of patients who suffer from orofacial pain. In particular, he is passionate about assisting general dental practitioners to better understand and navigate the many and often challenging aspects of dental care in the orofacial pain patient.
Dr. Chah divides his time between his practice in Galway and the Northbrook Clinic in Dublin alongside Dr. Dermot Canavan, where his practice is limited to the management of orofacial pain.