In this Talk, a unique perspective emerges from a healthcare professional who not only treats Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) as a dentist but also lives with the condition herself. Through her journey, she reveals the often-overlooked complexities of TMD and advocates for a more integrated approach to healthcare. By sharing her story, she highlights the critical need for a holistic model that better serves patients with complex, interconnected conditions. Dr. Suzie Bergman is a researcher and devoted dental practitioner, passionate about improving healthcare outcomes for patients. She has three decades of experience spanning clinical care, post-doctoral education, research, advocacy and infrastructure for patients suffering from temporomandibular disorders (TMD’s). Dr. Bergman is a Selection Chairperson, Advisor, Honorary Program Faculty Member, and Fellow of the TMJ Foundation’s online fellowship program, FTMJF. She lectures internationally as a tenured instructor for McGann Postgraduate School of Dentistry and Progressive Orthodontic Seminars. Dr. Bergman is a visiting scholar at Oregon Health Science University in the department of Neurosurgery, where she is a co-investigator in research surrounding the differential diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia and TMD’s. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
