DR. AMRITTEJ VIRK

Description of ImageDr. Virk specializes in Orofacial pain & TMJ management, primary headache disorders (migraine, tension-type headache etc.) and dental sleep medicine. He received his dental degree with honors from the University of Pennsylvania School of dental medicine. He also earned a certificate in Inter-professional pain education through Penn Dental Medicine’s Selective Program. During dental school, he externed at the Massachusetts General Hospital orofacial pain clinic in Boston which furthered his interest in a headache, facial pain/TMJ and sleep apnea management. After dental school, Dr. Virk decided to dedicate the rest of his career to orofacial pain and he entered the two-year Orofacial Pain and Dental Sleep Medicine residency program at UCLA school of dentistry. During his last year of residency, he served as chief resident.

Dr Virk is board certified by the American Board of Orofacial Pain. He is currently a member of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain (AAOP), American Headache Society (AHS), International Association for Study of Pain (IASP), Headache Cooperative of the Pacific (HCOP), American Dental Association (ADA) and Texas Dental Association (TDA).He has presented scientific posters at both national and international conferences and is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Texas A&M College of Dentistry, Dallas. He is also actively involved in the clinical research at both UCLA Orofacial pain clinic and Texas A & M Dental College sleep research program.

Dr. Virk’s focus is on treating and managing all aspects of chronic refractory primary headache disorders such as migraine, tension-type headache, cluster headache and occipital neuralgia, etc. In addition, he treats patients with orofacial pain conditions including musculoskeletal pain (TMD/TMJ, myofascial pain), atypical tooth pain, trigeminal nerve disorders, neurovascular and neuropathic pain. He is experienced in fabrication of TMJ orthotics, dental sleep appliances for management of obstructive sleep apnea/snoring Botox injections for migraines & orofacial pain conditions, intra-articular injections, trigger point injections, and nerve blocks.

Dr. Virk, being one of less than 300 board-certified Orofacial pain doctors in US, is uniquely qualified at evaluating and analyzing the whole picture and how the head, neck, and TMJ may or may not contribute to your overall headache pain. He believes in multidisciplinary approach by working hand in hand with his medical & dental colleagues to provide a best possible care to his patients. With his pleasant and positive demeanor, he spends the time necessary to evaluate and make decisions in order to improve his patients’ health and wellbeing.

Outside his practice, Dr Virk enjoys spending time with his wife and son, who keep him busy at home, when he is not seeing patients. He enjoys reading and taking road trips with his family exploring new places.


Education:

  • Certificate in Orofacial Pain & Dental Sleep Medicine – Univ. of California Los Angeles School of Dental Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
  • D.M.D. with Honors in Community Oral Health – Univ. of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
  • Externship in Orofacial pain – Mass Gen Hospital Orofacial Pain Clinic, Boston, MA
  • Certificate of completion in “Pain Science & Practice” – Univ. of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
  • BDS – Sri Guru Ramdas Institute of Dental Sciences & Research, Punjab, India

DR. AZUSA KUWASHIMA

Dr. Kuwashima graduated from Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo, (Japan) where she also earned PhD. in Prosthodontics. Her research interest in bruxism, the relationship between oral behaviors, and temporomandibular disorders led her to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where she earned a certificate in Orofacial Pain & Dental Sleep Medicine. Dr. Kuwashima is board certified by the American Board of Orofacial Pain and a Fellow member of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain. With a keen interest in research, she has published multiple research articles and done scientific meeting presentations.

Achievements:

  • Diplomate – American Board of Orofacial Pain (ABOP)
  • Fellow – American Academy of Orofacial Pain (AAOP)

DR. ERKAN ONURLU BDS, DDS

Dr. Onurlu brings over 15 years of clinical expertise to our practice, with a strong foundation in dentistry from the prestigious Marmara University in Turkey. But what truly sets him apart is his genuine passion for helping patients overcome chronic pain in the head and neck region.

Driven by a desire to make a difference, he began his journey as a visiting scholar at New York University (NYU) center for Facial Pain & Head Pain, where he delved deep into the complexities of chronic orofacial pain management. Following this, he pursued advanced training at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), successfully completing the full time residency in Orofacial Pain & Dental Sleep Medicine program. Dr. Onurlu is board certified by the American Board of Orofacial Pain.

As a specialist, Dr. Onurlu believes in crafting personalized, effective solutions tailored to each patient’s unique pain concerns. His mission is to empower patients with knowledge and unwavering support as they break free from the grasp of chronic pain.

Beyond his professional life, Dr. Onurlu finds joy in playing electric guitar, Turkish traditional folk instrument “saz,” and engaging in friendly ping pong matches.

Achievements:

  • Diplomate – American Board of Orofacial Pain (ABOP)

DR. STEVEN BENDER, DDS, FAHS

Dr. Bender is a nationally recognized expert in orofacial pain, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), and sleep-related breathing disorders. He provides comprehensive, evidence-based care for patients with complex orofacial conditions. His approach combines clinical expertise with a compassionate, interdisciplinary model focused on long-term relief and functional recovery.

A Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain, Dr. Bender is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, the American Headache Society, the International Academy of Oral Oncology, and the American College of Dentists. These distinctions reflect his commitment to clinical excellence, research, and professional education.

After earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas in 1986, Dr. Bender practiced general and restorative dentistry in Plano, TX. He later pursued specialized training in orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders at the renowned Parker E. Mahan Facial Pain Center at the University of Florida College of Dentistry.

Previously, Dr. Bender served as a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Texas A&M College of Dentistry. He also directed the Clinical Center for Facial Pain and Sleep Medicine within Texas A&M Health in Dallas.

Achievements:

  • 2006 Fellow – International Academy of Oral Oncology
  • 2006 Fellow – American Academy of Orofacial Pain
  • 2011 Texas Dentist of the Year Nominee; Dallas Academy of General Dentistry
  • 2011 Fellow – American Headache Society
  • 2014 Fellow – American College of Dentists
  • 2015 American Headache Society Members Choice Award, Best Paper Published in Headache
  • 2018 Diplomate – American Board of Orofacial Pain
  • 2019 Faculty Member Induction: Omicron Kappa Upsilon
  • 2019 Dallas County Dental Society Faculty Award