Few parts of your body play as many roles in everyday life as your mouth, teeth, jaws, facial muscles, and other related structures. Daily acts of self-expression, such as talking, laughing or smiling, use these structures to shape the sounds we make and help mold our appearance. They also work together to help you enjoy your favorite foods. As you can see, your face and jaw play a vital role in some of the most important aspects of your life.
If, however, you suffer from facial pain or problems with your temporomandibular joints (TMJ‘s) your whole world can change. These painful conditions can disrupt nearly every aspect of your daily life. In addition to causing you physical discomfort, facial pain, and TMD can significantly alter your diet, lead to medication overuse, limit intimacy and ultimately be responsible for emotional suffering and frustration. That’s where Dr. Donald R. Tanenbaum can help.
With advanced training and over three decades of experience, Dr. Tanenbaum is uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat facial pain, TMD, muscle pain disorders, nerve pain disorders, tension headaches, snoring, and sleep apnea. Equally important, he will treat you with the compassion, understanding and personal attention that you want and deserve. Dr. Tanenbaum has helped improve the quality of life of thousands of patients who’ve suffered from painful facial conditions, and he can do the same for you.
Credentials That Inspire Trust
While attending Columbia College of Dental Medicine in New York City, Dr. Tanenbaum envisioned having a practice that focused on facial pain, TMD and sleep related breathing disorders. Since opening his doors over 35 years ago, he has achieved that goal. Throughout the years, Dr. Tanenbaum has watched this highly unique area of dentistry evolve and mature. His continual training and ongoing education have enhanced his knowledge and helped him stay on top of the latest diagnostic and treatment methods.
Dr. Tanenbaum currently holds several prominent positions, including:
- Clinical Assistant Professor at the School of Dental Medicine at the State University of New York in Stony Brook
- Section Head of the Division of Orofacial Pain/TMD/Dental Sleep Medicine in the Department of Dental Medicine at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center.
- Clinical Assistant Professor, Hofstra North Shore, LIJ School of Medicine
He has also authored scientific articles and given lectures at medical grand rounds and to numerous dental societies and study clubs.
Dr. Tanenbaum is a past president of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain and an active member of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, the American Board of Orofacial Pain, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the New York Academy of Dentistry, and the American Dental Association.
Working Closely with Referring Physicians
Treating facial pain, TMD, and sleep disorders effectively means taking into account all the aspects of your health. That’s why Dr. Tanenbaum takes a multidisciplinary approach to your care. He will work closely with other doctors and health care professionals through consultations and continual updates about your treatment and your progress. This collaboration is essential in providing you with excellent, efficient care that meets your unique needs. Dr. Tanenbaum is trusted by medical and dental specialists in nearly every discipline to care for their patients with orofacial pain, TMD and sleep disorders. These include general dentists, orthodontists, endodontists, periodontists, oral surgeons, internists, neurologists, pediatricians, sleep therapists, and ENT specialists.
It Starts with a Comprehensive Exam
Your care with Dr. Tanenbaum starts with an in-depth health history and discussion of your condition. He will then perform a comprehensive examination and obtain images to help identify the source of your pain or dysfunction. Dr. Tanenbaum offers a variety of hands-on testing methods and will utilize only those that are appropriate to your unique condition.
Once your exam is completed, you and the doctor will discuss the findings and he will recommend a treatment plan designed for effective and long-lasting relief.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Tanenbaum, call 212-265-0110 (Manhattan)
or 631-265-3136 (Nassau and Suffolk).
More about Dr. Tanenbaum
Education:
- B.A., Biology, 1978, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- D.D.S., Doctor of Dental Surgery, 1982, Columbia University, NY, NY
- M.P.H., Masters of Public Health, 1982, Columbia University, NY, NY
Honors:
- 2010- 2012 Council Chair, American Academy of Orofacial Pain
- 2009-2010 President, American Academy of Orofacial Pain
- 2008-2009 President Elect American Academy of Orofacial Pain
- 2007-2008 Treasurer, American Academy of Orofacial Pain
- 2007 Program Chairman, AAOP Scientific Meeting, Philadelphia, PA
- 2006-2007 Secretary, American Academy of Orofacial Pain
- 2001-2009 Member of Council, American Academy of Orofacial Pain
- 1998-2001 Newsletter Editor, American Academy of Orofacial Pain
- 1998-2001 Secretary and Board Member, American Board of Orofacial Pain
- 1996-1997 Board Member, American Board of Orofacial Pain
- 1996-1997 Test Formulation Committee, American Board of Orofacial Pain
- April 1995 Diplomate, American Board of Orofacial Pain
- April 1991 Fellow, American Academy of Orofacial Pain
- April 1991 Elected for Membership in The American Academy of Orofacial Pain
- Jan. 1989 Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management
- 1991-1992 President, Northeast Craniomandibular Society
- 1989-1990 Vice President, Northeast Craniomandibular Society
- 1981 Dunning Memorial Scholar, Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery
- 1978 B.A., Cum Laude, University of Pennsylvania
Academic Appointments:
- November 2010 – Present, Clinical Assistant Professor, Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine
- January 2004 – Present, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery,
School of Dental Medicine at Stony Brook University - May 1994 – Present, Section Head, Associate Attending Orofacial Pain/TMD Dental Sleep
Medicine Section Department of Dental Medicine Northwell Health
System New Hyde Park NY - October 1989 – 2000, Assistant Attending – Facial Pain Section Department of Dental Medicine
Beth Israel Medical Center, New York NY - September 1984 – 1994, Assistant Attending – Head and Neck Pain Clinic Department of Dentistry
Queens Hospital Center, Jamaica NY - November 1984 – December 1985, Clinical Instructor – Facial Pain Center Columbia University,
New York NY
Teaching Responsibilities:
1994 – 2017:
Course Director/TMD and Orofacial Pain/SUNY Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine/4th year
students, 20 hours of orofacial pain/sleep education from January –March.
Director of yearly Facial Pain/TMD/Sleep lectures for the General Practice Dental and Pediatric
Dental Residents within the Dept. of Dental Medicine, Northwell Health System at Long Island
Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY
2013-2017:
Host of orofacial pain/sleep clinical rotations for residents of the Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine, Dental Anesthesia Residency Program
Recent Presentations:
- December 2017, TMD Problems, Spear Physical Therapy Seminars
- November 2017, Sleep Disordered Breathing and the Practicing Dentist, Greater NY Dental Meeting
- November 2017, Persistent Orofacial and Toothache Problems, The Oral Surgery Wisdom Study Club
- October 2017, Integrating Sleep Care Services into Dental Practices, Dental 365 Seminar
- October 2017, Persistent Orofacial Pain Problems, Lecture at the American College of Prosthodontics
- October 2017, Trigeminal Neuralgia Thru The Eyes of a Orofacial Pain Dentist, The TN Support Group
- September 2107, TMD Disorders, Lecture at NY Oral Surgery Study Club
- September 2017, Lecture at New Jersey Dental Study Club, Identifying the Patient at Risk For Developing Persistent Orofacial Pain
- April 2017, Identifying the Patient at Risk For Developing Persistent Orofacial Pain and Painful Disorders of the Head and Neck, NY County Dental Society
- April-May 2017, TMD/Orofacial Pain Lectures, New York VA Dental Residency Program
- April 2017, TMD Lecture to the Cohen’s Veteran Network at NYU
- April 2017, Identifying the Patient at Risk For Developing Persistent Orofacial Pain, Columbia University School of Dental Medicine, Alumni Day
- March 2017, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Orofacial Pain Challenges, Lecture to Dental Students and GPR/Specialty Residents
- February 2017, Identifying the Patient at Risk For Developing Persistent Orofacial Pain, American Equilibration Society, Chicago, Illinois
Links for more about: TMJ-TMD, Facial Pain, Headaches, Snoring, Sleep Apnea