#  Orofacial Pain Residency 

 



The Orofacial Pain Residency Program is **a two-year, CODA-accredited program based at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)** and offered in affiliation with Harvard School of Dental Medicine. The program provides advanced training in the diagnosis and management of orofacial pain and related conditions through immersive clinical experience and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Residents complete hands-on clinical training and elective rotations across key MGH departments, including:

- Center for Pain Medicine
- Physical Therapy
- Head and Neck Imaging
- Neurosurgery
- Neurology
- Division of Sleep Medicine
- Behavioral Psychology
- Oral Medicine
- John R. Graham Headache Center

## Didactic curriculum

Residents participate in a structured didactic program designed to build deep expertise in orofacial pain management.

## Teaching opportunities

Residents have the opportunity to teach and engage with learners at:

- Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)
- Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM)



 

 

 

WHY THIS SPECIALTY

### Choosing a career in orofacial pain 

 

Gaser Abdelaziz, DMD26, is pursuing advanced training in orofacial pain, driven by a collaborative, patient-centered approach. His path mirrors this residency’s interdisciplinary model, spanning neurology, psychology, and pain medicine.



 [ Read Gaser's story arrow\_forward ](/news/2026/04/bringing-team-mindset-treatment-orofacial-pain) 

 



      ![Student standing on steps of main building](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2026-04/IMG_58731.jpg?h=a2eef963&itok=tEIMaSZZ) 

 

 

  

 



 

 

 

 

##  Apply and learn 

This affiliated residency program is administered by Massachusetts General Hospital. Visit the MGH site for application details, eligibility requirements, and deadlines.



 

 



 [ View program details and apply arrow\_forward ](https://www.massgeneral.org/omfs/education-and-training/residencies/orofacial-pain-residency) 

 

 

 

 

 

##  Program director 

 



  [### Jeffry R. Shaefer

 ](/people/jeffry-rowland-shaefer) [jeffry\_shaefer@hsdm.harvard.edu](mailto:jeffry_shaefer@hsdm.harvard.edu)Assistant Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Clinical Associate

 

 

 

      ![grayed our HSDM shield used as a headshot placeholder](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-10/Headshot_placeholder_shield.jpg?itok=vZNcpEND)