Richard Ohrbach

Richard Ohrbach

Richard Ohrbach

Professor

Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences

School of Dental Medicine


Specialty/Research Focus

Clinical Psychology; Temporomandibular Disorders

Contact Information
355 Squire Hall
School of Dental Medicine
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, New York 14214
Phone: (716) 829-3590
Fax: (716) 829-3554
ohrbach@buffalo.edu



Education and Training:

  • Fellowship, Behavioral Epidemiology, University of Washington, , Dept. of Dental Public Health Sciences, School of Dentistry (1997)
  • Internship, Clinical Psychology, University of Washington, Department Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine (1996)
  • PhD, Clinical Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo (1996)
  • Fellowship, University at Buffalo (1994)
  • Fellowship, Meikai University (1989)
  • MS, Oral Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Dental Medicine (1989)
  • Certificate, Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, Los Angeles (1986)
  • Fellowship, Division of Gnathology and Occlusion, University of California, Los Angeles (1986)
  • DDS, Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1977)
  • BS, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1974)

Employment:

  • Professor, Oral Diagnostic Sciences, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (2017-present)
  • Associate Professor with Tenure, Oral Diagnostic Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (2000–2017)
  • Assistant Professor, Oral Diagnostic Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (1997–2000)
  • Research Associate Professor, Oral Diagnostic Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (1995–1997)
  • Research Assistant Professor, Behavioral Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (1989–1995)
  • Clinical Instructor, Department of Oral Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (1988–1989)
  • Major, USAF Dental Corps, USAF, Wilford Hall Medical Center (1982–1985)
  • Captain, USAF Dental Corps, USAF, Yokota AB (1977–1982)

Awards and Honors:

  • Cochrane membership (2019)
  • Odont.Dr. (honoris causa) (2017)
  • International RDC/TMD Consortium Network: Exceptional Contribution Award (2017)
  • Inducted into Omicron Kappa upsilon (OKU) National Dental Honor Society (2011)
  • Recipient of Visiting Scientist Programme at Malmo University (2011)
  • Recipient of Visiting Scientist Programme at Malmo University (2010)
  • Recipient of Visiting Scientist Programme Malmo University (2009)
  • Recipient of Visiting Scientist Programme at Malmo University (2007)
  • Sustained Achievement Award for Scholars, Inventors, and Entrepreneurs (2004)
  • Who's Who in Science and Engineering, 6th Edition (2003)
  • Who's Who in Science and Engineering, 5th Edition (2001)
  • National Research Service Award, NIDR, NIH, 1996-1997 (1996)
  • International Who's Who in Medicine, 2nd Edition (1995)
  • National Research Service Award, NIDR, NIH, 1994-1995 (1994)
  • Who‘s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, 1992 & 1993 (1992)
  • American Association for Dental Research Bloc Travel Grant, Dublin, Ireland (1989)
  • Physician Scientist Award, National Institutes of Dental Research, NIH (1989)
  • Young Investigator Travel Award, American Pain Society (1988)
  • National Research Service Award, NIDR, NIH, 1986-1989 (1986)
  • USAF Commendation Medal (1985)



Professional Memberships:

  • United States Association for the Study of Pain (2018–present)
  • American Academy of Orofacial Pain (2000–present)
  • INfORM / IADR (2000–present)
  • New York Academy of Sciences (1998–2012)
  • American Psychological Association (1990–2006)
  • Institute of Noetic Sciences (1990–2004)
  • American Psychological Society (1990–1997)
  • Association of University Teachers of Orofacial Pain Programs (1989–2016)
  • American Pain Society (1988–2019)
  • International & American Associations for Dental Research (1987–present)
  • Neuroscience Group / IADR (1987–present)
  • International Association for the Study of Pain (1984–present)
See all (2 more)

Presentations:

  • "Psychosocial perspectives on painful TMDs: mechanism, measurement, and management" Keynote at IADR (2023)
  • "Temporomandibular disorders: Pre-morbid risk determinants and diagnostic challenges of a complex disease" ODS Departmental Seminar (2023)
  • "Painful temporomandibular disorders: a phenotype revolving around self-reported symptoms" In section, Phenotypic subtyping strategies for targeted intervention, Research Advances for Urologic Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: Informing the Next Generation of Clinical Studies. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (2022)
  • "Psychosocial mechanisms of orofacial pain. Symposium on Mechanisms of Orofacial Pain" Symposium on Mechanisms of Orofacial Pain, International Association for the Study of Pain (2022)
  • "Secondary headache and comorbidity. Interprofessional pain and headache rounds" Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (2022)
  • "The specialty of orofacial pain: an evolutionary journey" American Academy of Orofacial Pain (2022)
  • "Collaboration and the early career researcher: negotiating mentors, colleagues, groups & networks." OPEN (Orofacial Pain Early-career Network) 2021 Symposium. Newcastle University (2021)
  • "Comorbidity of painful temporomandibular disorders and headache" Steven B Graff-Radford Award Lectureship. 2021 Scottsdale Headache Symposium (2021)
  • "Assessment and Diagnosis of TMDs: Taxonomy development, current status, and future directions" Plenary presentation for the Asian Academy of Orofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders, 20th Scientific Meeting (2021)
  • "A quarter of a century of INfORM’s achievements; looking to the future" INfORM workshop at IADR [organizer] (2021)
  • "Marc Heft, Pain, and TMDs: A Behavioral Scientist’s Lengthy Contributions" IADR (2021)
  • "Approaches to Personalized Orofacial Pain Therapies – A Future Vision: A Tribute to William Maixner" . AAOP Annual Meeting (2021)
  • "Temporomandibular Disorders: Diagnosis, Treatment, Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Challenges" Quarterly Combined TMJ Lecture Series, University of Pennsylvania (2020)
  • "Psychosocial Conditions. In: Transition from acute to chronic painful temporomandibular disorders: Exploratory paths" ; National Center for Oral Health Research (2019)
  • "TMD Overview" ; National Academy of Medicine; ad hoc Committee on Temporomandibular Disorders (2019)
  • "Etiology of Idiopathic Pain Disorders: Implications for Treatment from the OPPERA Study" ; University of Pécs; Faculty of Medicine (2018)
  • "Methods for Establishing Cultural Equivalency in Self-report Instruments" ; Semmelweis University,; Faculty of Dentistry (2018)
  • "Temporomandibular Disorders: Development, Evaluation, Etiology, and Treatment" 4th International Congress of the Chilean Society of Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain; Sociedad de TTM y Dolor Orofacial (2018)
  • "Temporomandibular Disorders: Risk Factors, Assessment, and Treatment" Chautauqua Dental Congress (2018)
  • "Empowering your patient via the mind-body connection and the epidemiology of TMD pain: Further perspectives from OPPERA" American Academy of Orofacial Pain (2018)
  • "Etiology of TMD – The OPPERA studies; Evolution of TMD Diagnosis – Part 1: The times they are a changin’; Evolution of TMD Diagnosis – Part 2: Next steps, international collaborations, and linking etiology with treatment; and Masterclass: DC/TMD" ; IV Congresso Internacional de DTM/DOF (2017)
  • "Successful Research Networks and Collaborations; and OPPERA: Past, Present, and Future" ; School of Dentistry, Malmö University (2017)
  • "History, Development, and Clinical Implications of TMD Diagnosis" ; University of Ljubljana; Medical Faculty (2016)
  • "History, Development, and Clinical Implications of TMD Diagnosis" ; Seoul National University (2016)
  • "Behavioral assessment and assessment of risk factors associted with management of complex patients" Washington Dental Service Distinguished Professorship Symposium on The Current Scope of Clinical Diagnostics and Risk Assessments in Dental Practice and Prospects for Near Term Advancements in Diagnostic Methods Applicable to Routine Patient Care (2016)
  • "Clinical implications of the OPPERA study" ; American Academy of Orofacial Pain (2016)
  • "The evolution of TMD diagnosis: where are we headed?" AADR Symposium on the Advances in the Biology and Management of Chronic Pain; AADR (2015)
  • "An examination of the structural problems in dental education in achieving better critical thinking skills for dental students" ADEA Gies; ADEA (2015)
  • "Chronic temporomandibular disorder and smoking: the OPPERA case control study" ; IADR (2015)
  • "DC/TMD: Background, purpose and future, in: Dissemination of the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders" ; IADR; Symposium sponsored by International RDC/TMD Consortium network (2015)
  • "Jaw injury predicts TMD onset prediction models from OPPERA study" ; IADR (2015)
  • "Longitudinal stability of TMJ disc displacements and degenerative joint disease" IADR meeting; IADR (2015)
  • "Psychological general well-being (PGWB) index in TMD individuals and controls" ; IADR (2015)
  • "Somatic sensations, not sensory reactivity, predict TMD onset and persistence" ; IADR (2015)
  • "Trauma and TMD onset: descriptive characteristics from the OPPERA study" ; IADR (2015)
  • "Widespread palpation tenderness ad temporomandibular disorders: the OPPERA study" ; IADR (2015)
  • "Predicting treatment responsiveness in TMD and orofacial pain patients" Quintessence International Symposium on TMD and Facial Pain and Headache: Bridging the Gap Between Current Research and Clinical Practice (2015)
  • "Functional linear models extensions uncover pleiotropic effects of chronic pain phonotypes" American Society of Human Genetics (2015)
  • "Masticatory muscle duty factors in TMD diagnostic groups" ; IADR (2014)
  • "Comparison of modes of self-report of waking-state oral parafunctional behaviors" ; AADR (2014)
  • "TMD as a Regional vs Complex Disorder Why that matters" Niagara Frontier Dental Meeting; ; Drinnan Symposium (2013)
  • "Genetic architecture of intermediated phenotypes associated with indcident TMD in the OPPERA prospective study" ; AAOP (2013)
  • "Graded Chronic Pain Scale: Validation of 1-month reference frame version" ; IADR (2013)
  • "Pressure-pain Hypersensitivity Coincides With But Does Not Predict TMD Onset" ; IADR (2013)
  • "Self-Report of Waking-State Oral Parafunctional Behaviors in the Natural Environment" ; IADR (2013)
  • "Validation of Replication of Pain Complaint as a Diagnostic Criterion" ; IADR (2013)
  • "Workshop on Biomedical Ontology and Referent Tracking: Introduction to Basic Principles" ; IADR (2013)
  • "Predictors of TMD Pain: Progress from the OPPERA Project" ; University of Pennsylvania; Department of Oral Medicine (2011)
  • "Physical diagnosis vs biobehavioral assessment: implications for treatment" ; Osaka Dental University; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (2010)
  • "The role of dental medicine in providing behavioral therapy for TMD" 23rd. Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of the Temporomandibular Joint. (2010)
  • "Self-report questionnaires: using them effectively" ; Malmo University (2010)
  • "Sleep Parasomnias and the Dental Practictioner, with Kate Bennett DDS" SUNY at Buffalo, School of Dental Medicine, Continuing Dental Education; SUNY at Buffalo, School of Dental Medicine (2007)
  • "Functional Limitation of the Jaw: Why Measurement Matters" Dental School Research Seminar Series; University of Texas Health Sciences Center (2007)
  • "Assessing the Emotional and Behavioral Aspects of TMD: Simple, Reliable and Multilingual Methods" FDI; FDI (2004)
  • "Assessing the Emotional and Behavioral Aspects of TMD: Simple, Reliable, and Multilingual Methods" FDI (2004)
  • "Evolving Standards for the Differential Diagnosis of TMD, with Yoly Gonzalez, DDS" Oral Diagnostic Sciences Seminar Series; SUNY at Buffalo, School of Dental Medicine (2004)
  • "Biobehavioral Treatment Concepts for Chronic Pain with Alan Glaros, PhD." Visiting Lecture Series, School of Dentistry, Malmo, Sweden; School of Dentistry, Malmo, Sweden (2003)
  • "IADR Symposium" IADR; IADR (2003)
  • "Role of Functional Limitation in Chronic Pain Research." Clinical Research Training Seminar Series, NIDCR Office of Education and Office of the Clinical Director; National Institutes of Health (2000)
  • "Biobehavioral Assessment and Treatment of Chronic Pain." Behavioral Healthcare Network (Inservice).; Behavioral Healthcare Network (2000)
  • "TMD-Related Disability and Chronic Pain." Oral Diagnostic Sciences Seminar Series; State University of New York at Buffalo (1999)
  • "Biobehavioral Assessment of Chronic TMD-Related Pain." Karolinska Institute Orofacial Pain Seminar Series; Karolinska Institute Orofacial Pain (1999)
  • "The Measurement of TMD-Related Disability." Oral Biology Guest Lecturer Series, University of Michigan; University of Michigan (1999)
  • "Rasch Modeling and Temporomandibular Disorder Disability" The UDS-MR Annual Conference; State University of New York at Buffalo; Center for Functional Assessment Research (1999)
  • "AADR Symposium" AADR Meeting; AADR (1997)
  • "Temporomandibular Disorders: Concepts for Evaluation and Diagnosis." Rochester Dental Society; Rochester Dental Society (1995)
  • "History and Clinical Examination for TMD" The Current Treatment and Management of Temporomandibular Disorders; University of Toronto (1994)
  • "Problem-Based Learning for Differential Diagnosis." Update on Temporomandibular Disorders, Continuing Education; SUNY at Buffalo, School of Dental Medicine (1992)
  • "Classification of Temporomandibular Disorders" Science Transfer Seminar, 69th General Session of the IADR; IADR (1991)
  • "What‘s Hot and What‘s Not in Diagnosis of Temporomandibular Disorders" SUNY-Buffalo, and the Eighth District Dental Society: Normal Mohl and Richard Ohrbach; State University of New York at Buffalo; School of Medicine (1989)
  • "Stimulation Produced Analgesia" Department of Anesthesiology, UCLA School of Medicine; UCLA School of Medicine (1986)
  • "Myofascial Pain" Department of Anesthesiology, UCLA School of Medicine; UCLA School of Medicine (1986)
  • "Internal Derangements of the TMJ" TMJ Symposium; Wilford Hall Medical Center (1985)
  • "Management Considerations: Escalation of Therapy" TMJ Symposium; Wilford Hall Medical Center (1985)
  • "Occlusion: Relationship to TMJ Disorders" TMJ Symposium; Wilford Hall Medical Center (1985)
  • "Splint Therapy for TMJ Disorders" TMJ Symposium; Wilford Medical Center (1985)
  • "A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to TMJ Management in a Hospital Setting" Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; University of Texas at San Antonio (1985)
  • "Masticatory Muscle Hyperactivity" Department of Behavioral Medicine; Wilford Hall Medical Center (1985)
  • "Multi-disciplinary Treatment Approaches." Department of Behavioral Medicine; Wilford Medical Center (1985)
  • "Splint Therapy: A Critical Overview" Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; University of Texas at San Antonio (1985)
  • "Internal Derangements: Treatment Correlates" Department of Behavioral Medicine; Wilford Hall Medical Center (1985)
  • "Occlusal Factors in TMJ Disorders: A Historical Perspective and Recent Trends" Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; University of Texas at San Antonio (1985)
  • "Internal Derangements: Evaluation and Non-surgical Management" Department of Physical Therapy; Wilford Hall Medical Center (1984)
  • "Occlusion Concepts and TMJ Disorders" General Dentistry Residency; Wilford Hall Medical Center (1984)
  • "Splint Therapy for TMJ Disorders" TMJ Symposium; Wilford Hall Medical Center (1984)
  • "The Acute TMJ Patient" TMJ Symposium; Wilford Hall Medical Center (1984)
  • "A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to TMJ Management in a Hospital Setting" Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; University of Texas at San Antonio (1984)
  • "Critical Overview of Splint Therapy" Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; University of Texas at San Antonio (1984)
  • "Management of the Acute TMJ Patient" Dunn Dental Clinic; Wilford Hall Medical Center (1984)
  • "Occlusal Factors in TMJ Disorders: A Historical Perspective and Recent Trends" Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; University of Texas at San Antonio (1984)
  • "Temporomandibular Disorders: Philosophy, Diagnosis, and Treatment" Dental Clinic, Randolph AFB, Texas; Dental Clinic, Randolph AFB, Texas (1983)
  • "The Pathophysiology of Temporomandibular Disorders" Department of Behavioral Medicine; Wilford Hall Medical Center (1983)
  • "Splint Therapy for TMJ Problems" TMJ Symposium; Wilford Hall Medical Center (1983)
  • "The Acute TMJ Patient" TMJ Symposium; Wilford Hall Medical Center (1983)
  • "Internal Derangements of the Temporomandibular Joint" Tokyo Medical Dental University; Tokyo Medical Dental University (1982)
  • "Adjunctive Physical Therapy for Patients with TMJ/Occlusal Problems" Dental Staff, Yokota AB; Dental Staff, Yokota AB (1981)
  • "Headache as Manifestation of TMJ Dysfunction" Hospital Staff, Yokota, AB; Hospital Staff, Yokota, AB (1981)
  • "Occlusal Therapy: Case Presentation" Dental Staff, Yokota AB; Dental Staff, Yokota AB (1981)
  • "Occlusion - Physiology and Therapeutic Considerations" Dental Staff, Yokota AB; Dental Staff, Yokota AB (1980)
  • "Hypnosis in Dentistry" Dental Staff, Yokota AB; Dental Staff, Yokota AB (1978)
  • "Improving the Diagnosis and Treatment Decision for TMD" ; Journées dentaires internationales du Québec.
  • "Masticatory muscle duty factors in Subjects With and Without Pain" ; IADR
See all (92 more)

Service Activities:

  • Promotions and Tenure Committee; Member (2018–present)
  • Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache; Associate Editor (2018–present)
  • International Consensus Workshop: Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, version 2 2.5 day closed workshop with 35 invited participants from 11 countries. Sponsored by International RDC/TMD Consortium, IASP Orofaical Pain SIG, Canadian Institute of Health Research, and IADR; Organizing Committee Member (2011)
  • International Consortium Workshop: Convergence Toward a Consensus Taxonomy 38 invited participants from 11 countries for a 2.5 day workshop with funding from CIHR, Orofacial Pain SIG of the IASP, IADR, and corporate source.; Chair (2008–2009)
  • UB Interdisciplinary Research Development Fund;; Grant Reviewer (2008)
  • NIH; NIH-CSR Special Emphasis Panet; ZRG1 CFS (01) S, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Temporomandibular Dysfunction;; Grant Reviewer (2008)
  • International Journal of Psychophysiology; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2007–present)
  • Psychology & Health; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2006)
  • Head & Face Medicine Open peer review journal; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2006)
  • NIH; NIH-CSR Special Emphasis Panel; ZRG1 CFS (01) S, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Temporomandibular Dysfunction;; Grant Reviewer (2006)
  • UB Interdisciplinary Research Development Fund;; Grant Reviewer (2005)
  • Research and Honors; Memberq (2005–present)
  • Academic Appeals; Mmber (2005–2018)
  • Examination Council AAOP; Member (2005)
  • Eurpoean Journal of Oral Sciences; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2005–present)
  • Student Research and Honors Committee Implemented a steering committee to get student feedback, obtained course credit for the students, and improved the summer seminar series.; Chair (2005–present)
  • Yearbook in Dentistry, Section on TMD Journal Editor; Editor (2005–present)
  • Health Sciences Library Advisory Committee; Member (2004–2006)
  • Program Committee, Nerve Damage and Neuropathic Trigeminal Pain Vancouver BC, May 4-5; Committee Member (2004)
  • Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2004–present)
  • National University of Singapore; Office of Research, National University of Singapore;; External Reviewer (2003)
  • International RDC/TMD Consortium; Director (2003–2007)
  • Love Canal Medical Fund, Incorporated; Board member (2002–2005)
  • Community Dentistry & Oral Epidemiology; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2002–present)
  • Health Sciences Institutional Review Board; Member (2001–2007)
  • Translations and Protocols, International RDC/TMD Consortium; Chair (2001–present)
  • Association of University Teachers of Orofacial Pain Programs Overall three year term of service; President (2000–2001)
  • Journal of Psychosomatic Research; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2000–present)
  • Archives of Oral Biology; Ad Hoc Reviewer (1998)
  • Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin; Ad Hoc Reviewer (1997)
  • Symposium Coordinator, AADR; Organizing Committee Member (1997)
  • Pain; Ad Hoc Reviewer (1996–present)
  • Clinical Journal of Pain; Ad Hoc Reviewer (1996–present)
  • Journal of the American Dental Association; Ad Hoc Reviewer (1995–present)
  • Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin; Ad Hoc Reviewer (1994)
  • Journal of Dental Research; Ad Hoc Reviewer (1994–present)
  • Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry; Ad Hoc Reviewer (1994–present)
  • Joint Publications Committee, AADR/IADR; Member (1993–1996)
  • Journal of Orofacial Pain; Ad Hoc Reviewer (1993–present)
  • Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry Statistical Consultant; Consultant (1993–present)
  • International RDC/TMD Consortium network Manage the website for the International RDC/TME Consortium network and chair one of the workgroups.
  • School of Dental Medicine, Judicial Council Committee; Member
  • Health Sciences Institutional Review Board; Member

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Contact Information

355 Squire Hall
School of Dental Medicine
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, New York 14214
Phone: (716) 829-3590
Fax: (716) 829-3554
ohrbach@buffalo.edu