Draft:International College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics
Neuromuscular dentistry non-profit college
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The International College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics (ICCMO) is a professional organization dedicated to the study, advancement, and clinical application of neuromuscular dentistry and craniomandibular orthopedics using ULF-TENS (Ultra-low frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation). ICCMO is a global nonprofit organization that brings together dentists, researchers, and allied health professionals from around the world who are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMJ/TMD), dental occlusion and their relationship to orofacial pain, standing body posture and sleep apnea.
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Submission declined on 10 March 2026 by ThatTrainGuy1945 (talk). Refs needed, please convert the links to actual references. Don't resubmit this until it's fixed.
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This draft has been resubmitted and is currently awaiting re-review. |  |
Submission declined on 19 February 2026 by Ozzie10aaaa (talk). needs references/ has bare refs Declined by Ozzie10aaaa 5 months ago. | |
Comment: This is just blatant promotion of the college, WP:TNT is required. Theroadislong (talk) 22:50, 13 March 2026 (UTC)
- Comment: lack of sources and bare refs Ozzie10aaaa (talk) 17:32, 19 February 2026 (UTC)
History
ICCMO was established in the United States in 1979 by Dr. Bernard Jankelson,[1] a dental clinician and researcher, along with an international group of clinicians and dental educators seeking to advance the understanding of jaw function and its relationship to overall oral health.
Jankelson was a pioneer in craniomandibular (relating to the skull and the mandible) orthopedics and the study of head pain associated with jaw dysfunction.[2] In 1966, he founded Myotronics [3] to develop bioelectromagnetic instrumentation for dentistry. These technologies were designed to relax the skeletal muscles that control mandibular posture and to accurately measure and document mandibular movement and it's associated muscle function, with the goal of improving diagnosis, treatment and patient oral health outcomes.[4]
Over subsequent decades, ICCMO has expanded internationally, with 13 regional sections including the Americas, Europe, Asia, Middle and Far East, and Russia.[5]
Mission and objectives[1]
ICCMO's mission is to provide education, research and publication to improve clinical outcomes in orofacial pain and temporomandibular joint dysfunction in dentistry using ultra low frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (neuromuscular dentistry) to diagnose and alleviate the suffering of patients suffering from TMJ/TMD.
Its objectives include:
-Advancing study of the anatomy, physiology, biophysics and pathology of the human craniocervical mandibular neuromuscular system.[6]
-Support development of other related clinical concepts such as Gneuromuscular dentistry developed by Dr. Clayton Chan using research and publication of clinical results.[7]
-Developing neuromuscular dentistry research and educational programs related to craniomandibular disorders at universities[8] [9] [10][11][12][13] and dental organizations[14] and publishing scientific papers in peer-reviewed medical journals,[15] dental journals[16] and textbooks.[17][18]
-Providing education to health professionals about the principles and concepts of neuromuscular dentistry and their application to clinical management of malocclusion, dental restoration, headache, airway (upper airway obstruction and deformities), sleep apnea, TMJ/TMD, and head and neck postural control.[19]
-Encouraging member collaboration with practitioners of medicine, physical therapy, myotherapy, chiropractic, and other health sciences[20].
Governance structure
ICCMO is governed by a Board of Regents with a leadership structure modelled on professional standards for scientific, learned societies. Each national section has a sub leadership to facilitate local programming and member support.[21]
ICCMO is a nonprofit organization with International Congresses held every 2 years since 1979.[22]
Membership
ICCMO membership is open to dentists with a licence from a professional association, such as the American Dental Association, that have an an interest in craniomandibular orthopedics, musculoskeletal disorders, myalgia and sleep disorders.[23][24][25][26]
Members hold DDS, DMD, MD, DO, or PhD degrees. ICCMO offers several membership recognition programs, including Fellow and Master[27][28][29] , which are awarded based on experience, education, and contributions to the field.
Associate membership is open to professionals licensed or certified in their fields of expertise who are interested in collaboration with management of cranio-mandibular disorders.[30] Associate members include nurses, Dental laboratory technicians and Health professionals in physical therapy, massage therapy, myofunctional therapy, and chiropractic therapy.[31]
Activities
ICCMO organizes biennial international congresses[32], regional meetings[33] , and lectures where members present research, discuss clinical case studies, and share advances in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies related to the physiologic resolution of musculoskeletal disorders and myalgia. These congresses typically feature lectures and hands-on workshops and seminars for health professionals.
Proceedings and abstracts have been published in independent peer-reviewed dental publications such as Cranio: The Journal of Craniomandibular & Sleep Practice[34], the official journal of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain (AAOP)[35] , from 1995 to 2023, when the editorial board consisted of members of the TMD Alliance.[36]
ICCMO has been a member of the TMD Alliance since its inception in 1995. The TMD Alliance brings together professional organizations representing expertise across dentistry, orthodontics, prosthodontics, pain management, chiropractic care, and craniofacial medicine — sharing knowledge and developing comprehensive approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.[37]
ICCMO developed a position statement[38], sponsors research grants, and maintains a certification program for practitioners who meet its educational and clinical standards.[39] It organizes courses and study clubs[40]for professionals to provide education about neuromuscular dentistry and cranio-mandibular orthopedics.
Publications
ICCMO members have published volumes of the Anthology of Cranio-Mandibular Orthopedics[41] since 1991, compiling articles of neuromuscular dentistry and allied dental literature, many of which have been previously published in international peer-reviewed professional journals and republished (with permission) such as The Journal of Craniomandibular and Sleep Practice (Cranio).[42]
International sections of ICCMO have academic journals, where papers that were presented using language interpretation at meetings are published. Japan has been publishing papers since 2004 which are only available to ICCMO members.[43]
ICCMO's members frequently contribute to independent, peer-reviewed publications such as Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, European Journal of Pediatrics, Children, Journal of Sleep Disorders & Therapy, JIOS (Journal of Indian Orthodontic Society), and Cranio. ICCMO's protocols and instrumentation have been referenced in dental textbooks and incorporated into university curricula[44]on occlusion and TMD management. The textbook Management of Temporomandibular disorders and Occlusion, authored by Jeffrey P. Okeson and published in 2019 remains in print and in clinical use.[45]
In Cranio, Barry C. Cooper and Israel Kleinberg published an examination of 4,528 patients studied over 25 years reporting symptoms of TMD.[46] Widely published, Cooper also published an ICCMO position paper on TMD in Cranio.[47]
The late Ira Shapira[48] , also widely published and past editor of The Journal of Craniomandibular and Sleep Practice[49], authored an ICCMO position paper on NMD and the role of the autonomic nervous system, blockade of the pterygopalatine ganglion (aka sphenopalatine block), among many others.[50]
Robert R. Jankelson DDS[51]assembled a comprehensive, 265-page Literature Review of Scientific Studies Supporting the Efficacy of Surface Electromyography, Low Frequency TENS and Mandibular Tracking for Occlusion Evaluation and Aids in the Diagnosis & Treatment of TMD.[52]
Recognition
ICCMO has been recognized within the dental community for its role in teaching, documenting and publishing neuromuscular dentistry.[53] Certain aspects of neuromuscular approaches remain debated[54] in academic dentistry, with calls for further high quality, long-term studies to validate certain treatment protocols. ICCMO fully supports this practice and continues to work collaboratively to achieve this goal.
ICCMO members have been on advisory boards and recognized in popular dental magazines.[55][56] [57][58][59]
The American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs for safety and efficacy granted the ADA Seal of Recognition to Myotronics' neuromuscular instrumentation in 1986.[60][61] Myotronics has received regulatory approval to market TENS devices in the U.S., Canada, Japan, and European Union for treatment of TMJ/TMD and fabrication of a therapeutic orthotic.[62] The ADA Council on Scientific Affairs extended the ADA Seal of Acceptance to Myotronics neuromuscular instrumentation in 2003-2004.[63][64] 2024,[65] and 2025. FDA clearance of a neuromuscular device was granted in 2024.[66]
ICCMO was one of the first places that the importance of a healthy airway and obstructive sleep apnea was discussed and taught by the late James F. Garry, DDS.[67]
ICCMO has been an ADA CERP recognized provider for many years. The current term of acceptance extends from 2025 – 2028 (AGD ProviderID 216643).[68]