New Dentist Study Club: Unlocking the Mysteries of TMJ Disorders

Unlocking the Mysteries of TMJ Disorders with Dr. Dale M. Gallagher

Join us for a unique, interactive learning experience with Dr. Dale M. Gallagher, a renowned oral surgeon from Austin, Texas, as he delves into the intricate world of TMJ disorders. This essential session is designed to deepen your understanding of the causes and symptoms of TMJ disorders to enhance diagnosis and tailor effective treatments. Through real-life patient case presentations and an in-depth look at occlusal and skeletal functions, Dr. Gallagher will guide you through:

• Differentiating TMJ Disorder Symptoms– Understand the nuanced symptoms of TMJ disorders to avoid common diagnostic pitfalls.
• Anatomy Insights – Explore how facial, occlusal, and oral/nasal airway anatomy contribute to TMJ conditions.
• TMJ Disorder Management Essentials – Discover what initial steps to take (and what to avoid) in managing TMJ cases.

Don't miss this chance to elevate your diagnostic skills and approach TMJ disorders with confidence!

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Dr. Gallagher has practiced Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Austin, Texas since 1984. He is one of the only oral surgeons in central Texas to complete two years of residency training in anesthesiology. Dr. Gallagher feels that, “As oral surgeons, we perform a lot of surgery in our office, and I wanted to be optimally prepared to offer a full range of pain control and anesthesia to my patients. We can provide safe, effective anesthesia for people of all ages, from small children to the elderly. It is normal for people to be apprehensive about surgery, so comprehensive anesthesia training and experience benefits everyone, particularly very nervous patients.”

Dr. Gallagher was born in Riverside, California. Growing up, his father served in the U.S. Air Force, so his family traveled and lived in many states and countries, including Hawaii and the Philippines. As a youth, Dr. Gallagher became an Eagle Scout, and as an adult became a scout leader. He earned advanced Boy Scout adult certifications in Wood Badge and Powder Horn.

Dr. Gallagher attended Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio where he graduated with an undergraduate degree in Biology. He received his doctorate in dentistry (DDS) from New York University College of Dentistry in New York, New York in June 1977. Following this, he completed his first year of anesthesiology residency at The Mount Sinai Hospital and Medical School in New York, New York in June 1978. His second year of fellowship training in anesthesiology was completed at the John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas in June 1979. In 1979, he became a Diplomat in the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology (ADSA).

Dr. Gallagher finished three years of oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at the Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas in June 1982. He completed certification for membership in the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) in 1981, and passed the examinations to become a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) in 1984.

During his residency training he also performed clinical research, co-authored many scientific papers, presented lectures at many national scientific meetings, and contributed to textbooks about the correction of facial deformities, as well as other topics. Dr. Gallagher served as a lecture/surgeon to the Australian and New Zealand Societies of Surgery in Melbourne, Australia where he demonstrated reconstructive surgery. He also donated his surgical skills performing cleft lip and palate operations in Guatemala City for the non-profit “Heal the Children” project and also took part in the Honduras Medical Mission in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Following his residency training, he enjoyed private practice and taught medical students and residents at the Brown University Medical School and hospitals in Providence, Rhode Island. A year later he declined the opportunity for a teaching position with private practice opportunities in Rhode Island to pursue his long time goal of living and practicing oral and maxillofacial surgery in Austin, Texas.

In his spare time, Dr. Gallagher enjoys beekeeping, ranching, and tending a large garden.

Dr. Gallagher is a member of the following organizations:

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

American Dental Society of Anesthesiology

American Dental Association

Texas Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Texas Dental Association

Capital Area Dental Society

Host or Publisher The San Antonio District Dental Society