Meet Jennifer
My journey towards discovering jaw and sleep disorders and eventually treating patients was not like most dentists. I first discovered I was suffering from temporomandibular joint dysfunction when I was just 13 years old. After nearly 6 years of unsuccessful treatments to adjust my bite, I attended dental school at the University of California, San Francisco where I earned my Doctorate degree.
Here, I began to understand the nature of orthopedic injuries, the role of habitual movement patterns and a bio-psycho-social model for temporomandibular disorders. I had the opportunity to study this with Dr. Charles McNeill, a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at UCSF. He helped me become more aware of my condition and learn how to care for my chronic pain, which I have now been free of for over 20 years.
I completed additional coursework at UCSF and passed a specialty board exam in Orofacial Pain in 1999 that provided me with advanced knowledge on how to care for the condition. I practiced general dentistry for 10 years before focusing my practice on treating orofacial pain, TMJ disorders, and sleep-disordered breathing.
In 2007, I began to study and treat snoring and sleep apnea and completed a serious study at UCLA in the field of Dental Sleep Medicine. This helped me improve the way I provide care for patients who are suffering from either of these nighttime complications.
Along with treating and relieving pain for my patients in San Rafael, I am also an Assistant Clinical Professor at the UCSF Center for Orofacial Pain and Dental Sleep Medicine. I’m happy to treat my patients using my qualified depth of knowledge, as well as my personal experience with a temporomandibular disorder. I am able to personally relate with my patients, allowing me to build a trustful yet professional relationship with them.
Professional Credentials
- Diplomate, American Board of Orofacial Pain
- Fellow, American Academy of Orofacial Pain
- Member, American Pain Society
- Member, American Headache Society
- Member, Headache Cooperative of the Pacific
- Member, American Academy of Sleep Medicine
- Member, California Dental Association
- Member, American Dental Association
- Member, Redwood Empire Dental Society
- Past President, Marin County Dental Society