The OC Diplomate
III
The highest honor OC confers — all three disciplines, proven.
Diplomate of Comprehensive Orthopedic Dentistry — “OCDipl.”
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Recognition Program ◆ Fellowship ◆ Mastership ◆ Diplomate
What the Diplomate Is
OC Diplomate is the highest award, granted to those elite clinicians who have advanced their training by completing all of OC’s training curriculum — including the orthodontic/orthopedic curriculum covering dentofacial orthopedics, mechanics, and orthopedic-orthodontic strategies in the management and treatment of comprehensive orthopedic dentistry.
The OC Credentialing Board recognizes these doctors for their advanced studies, dedicated discipline, and effort in perfecting their understanding, skills, and abilities in comprehensive orthopedic dentistry. Candidates have successfully completed a comprehensive written examination along with proven case studies displaying their comprehensive proficiency, understanding, and skills in all three disciplines: TMD, restorative reconstruction, and orthodontics/orthopedics.
The orthodontic emphasis is deliberate. Orthodontic orthopedics is the six-dimensional expression of a clinician’s skills and understanding — commanding the growth, development, and movements of the cranium and mandibular systems, where the GNM concepts of occlusion are comprehended at their fullest depth. It is also the conservative path — the biomimetics of dentistry — repositioning natural teeth rather than cutting them, while restorative treatment, more aggressive by nature, remains necessary where teeth are broken or missing. That is why the pathway’s highest honor is an orthodontic one.
The OC Diplomate Program grants doctors a Diplomate of Comprehensive Orthopedic Dentistry — an elite achievement award carrying eligibility to display the OC Diplomate logo and the designation “OCDipl.”
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First, the Mastership
To attain the Diplomate, all candidates must first attain OC Mastership — and before it, the Fellowship. The pathway has an order — and no shortcuts, all the way to the summit.
The order holds at the course level as well: OC’s Levels 1–4 are prerequisite to the Ortho I–III curriculum itself.
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Diplomate Requirements · 1 — Competency Verification
The Written Examination — Sections X–XII
A written examination comprising 40–50 multiple-choice questions of the assimilated information from all of OC’s training — with emphasis on the Ortho 1, 2, and 3 course curriculum — in three sections.
Fundamentals of Orthodontic and Dentofacial Orthopedics
Section X Examination
Validates comprehension and understanding of the concepts of dental orthopedic growth and development, as well as the orthodontic tools and records.
Initiation of Orthopedic and Orthodontic Treatment
Section XI Examination
Validates comprehension, understanding, and clinical skills of diagnosis, treatment planning, and effective management of the neuromuscular orthodontic/orthopedic case.
Orthodontic and Orthopedic Mechanics I
Section XII Examination
Validates comprehension and the implementation of orthodontic/orthopedic mechanics.
Throughout, the examination determines whether optimal knowledge and skills have been acquired to apply the GNM protocols and principles to a high standard of proficiency in the clinical environment.
40–50 questions ◆ about 1–1.5 hours ◆ by special arrangement prior to the bi-annual OC Summits
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Diplomate Requirements · 2 — Clinical Proficiency Verification
Clinical Proficiency — Three Cases, All Three Disciplines
The Fellowship proved four cases stabilized. The Mastership proved one carried to completion. The Diplomate asks for the summit: three completed craniomandibular compromised cases demonstrating Phase I to Phase II diagnostic and treatment OC methodologies — implementing restorative and orthodontic/orthopedic principles in verticalization and GNM occlusal management concepts — each fully documented per OC’s Case Documentation Format for Diplomate status.
Case One
Showing diversity in TMD selection or ancillary procedures, restorative design and/or materials, demonstrating both Phase I and Phase II finishing
Case Two
Displays proficiency in completing a comprehensive Phase II orthodontic/orthopedic treatment — whether completing the ortho phase with restorative and/or natural dentition procedures
Case Three
Displays proficiency in Phase II verticalization orthopedic mechanics — finalizing the dentition, when indicated, with restorative is acceptable
Every Case
Demonstrates proficiency and effectiveness in the diagnosis, treatment planning, bite management, and transitioning phases of a Phase I to Phase II orthodontic and/or comprehensive restorative case — diagnosed with one or a combination of the four categories of neuromuscular challenges recognized by OC’s training program
The Diplomate candidate must demonstrate the effectiveness of how well each case was handled from Phase I stabilization to Phase II completion, showing proof using objective monitoring systems, photos, and protocols to assess treatment effectiveness and stability across five areas:
1
Masticatory muscle stability
2
Occlusal stability
3
TM joint stability
4
Central Nervous System (CNS) stability
5
Other orofacial areas of stability
Documentation of at least one hundred sixty (160) continuing education hours — TMD, restorative, and orthodontics — in the preceding five years.
Three disciplines. Three cases. One standard — proven, not proclaimed.
Case Documentation — What Each Case Includes
OC’s Regulatory Review Board has established the documentation protocol and created the OC Case Documentation Forms for the Diplomate Award. Per case, per the OC Case Documentation Format:
- ◆A completed OC Case Documentation Form, providing all necessary information per the OC case presentation format
- ◆Each case involves both Phase I orthotic stabilization and Phase II comprehensive orthodontics/orthopedics, and/or a demonstration of restorative finishing techniques
- ◆Each documented case demonstrates proficiency in completing a craniomandibular Phase I stabilized case with some form of orthodontics — fixed or removable appliances
- ◆Each case of an advanced nature, involving treatment of one or more of the categories: cervical dysfunction, TMJ primary, Class II Division 2, anterior open bite
- ◆Pre-operative and post-operative lateral cephalograms, plain-film tomography, or CBCT/iCAT joint imaging — in MIP and at maximum opening
- ◆K7 scans across the full arc of care — computerized mandibular scans (jaw tracking), electromyography (EMG), and electrosonography (ESG), taken pre-operative, mid-treatment, and post-treatment to detail the physiologic resting and functional status of each case
- ◆Copies of pre-operative evaluation and planning forms, lab work authorizations, treatment consents, the patient’s subjective summary log, and pre-existing musculoskeletal occlusal signs and symptoms
- ◆Pre- and post-operative intra-oral and extra-oral photographs, photographs of model casts before and after bite registration, and supporting photographs of the orthotic intra-orally — at initial delivery and after stabilization
- ◆All records submitted digitally, in PowerPoint or equivalent format
Beyond the Exam and the Cases
01
Continuing Education
Documentation of at least one hundred sixty (160) continuing education hours — across TMD, restorative, and orthodontics — in the preceding five years. The steepest requirement in the pathway.
02
A Letter of Recommendation
From a current OC Master, OC Diplomate, or a member of OC’s Advanced Credentials Committee.
03
Curriculum Vitae
A current CV, submitted with the application.
04
Written Application — First
All Diplomate candidates submit a written application to document interest in the Diplomate credentialing process. Applications and documentation should arrive at least six to eight weeks prior to the OC Summit at which the credentials are to be presented.
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Conferred in Person, at the OC Summit
A Diplomate plaque and key have been designed for those candidates who earn it, presented at the bi-annual OC Summit, before their peers — the doctors already named among OC’s award recipients.
Diplomates are not conferred in absentia.
OC Recognition Awards
The Doctors Who Have Earned It
OC recognition is public and verifiable — the names, dates, and investiture photographs of every award recipient are on record.
Examination & Submission — The Logistics
The Examination
Written. Offered by special arrangement prior to the bi-annual OC Summits. Testing takes about 1–1.5 hours. Examination dates are arranged by contacting Jane.
Send Documentation To
OC Regulatory Review Board
Attention: Dr. Clayton A. Chan
4206 Bronze Ridge St, Las Vegas, NV 89135
Telephone: (702) 271-2950 · Email: jane@occlusionconnections.com
Timing
All applications and documentation should arrive at least six to eight weeks prior to the OC Summit at which you wish your credentials to be presented.
Delivery
Send your records digitally — on a digital disc or USB — via Fed-Ex, DHL, Express Mail, UPS, or a similar carrier, to expedite delivery and guarantee the safety of the records. The sender should retain the receipt.
Presentation
Your Diplomate credentials are presented to you at the OC Summit meeting.
The Highest Honor Awaits Its First Candidates
Maintaining the Diplomate: all OC Diplomates remain members in good standing and attend at least one OC Summit or co-sponsored meeting every three years.
← OC Mastership ◆ The pathway’s summit ◆ The Recognition Program →
Diplomate status: Ongoing Diplomate status involves ongoing monitoring of the dentist’s proficiency by OC’s Credentialing Review Board, including current DEA/state licensing registration and credentials. Issues such as malpractice claims history, criminal convictions, misconduct allegations or investigations, and substance abuse are a basis to lose Diplomate status. The credentialing process is not a guarantee of any level of quality or service received from participating OC dentists, who are independent practitioners and neither agents nor employees of Occlusion Connections.
Occlusion Connections — The Center for Gneuromuscular Dentistry and Orthopedic Advancement
6170 W. Desert Inn Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89146