Objectives and Bylaws

Revised and approved by unanimous vote April 17, 1991.

Revised March 2, 1993, based on notes of the Immediate Past-President (N. Mohl).

I. Definition

Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial pain are broadly defined to include all of the sensory, motor, and articular dysfunctions and painful conditions which affect the oral, temporomandibular, and facial regions.

II. Objectives

1. To facilitate communication among accredited dental school-based TMD and orofacial pain educators.
2. To facilitate research collaboration among accredited dental school-based TMD and orofacial pain programs.
3. To facilitate the development of curriculum guidelines at the pre- and postdoctoral level in TMD and orofacial pain.
4. To facilitate the development of guidelines for patient diagnosis and management.
5. To provide a liaison between TMD and orofacial pain educators, other dental educators, other dental educators and investigators, the dental profession, and various health care providers.

III. Membership

A. Full Membership

Full members must be employed at an accredited dental school having an integrated program in TMD and Orofacial Pain in which the member is an active participant. Such a program must include (1) clinical care of TMD-orofacial pain patients in a designated facility (clinic or center) within the school that functions at least one day per week, (2) a predoctoral and/or postdoctoral curriculum dealing with the etiology, diagnosis and management of TMD-orofacial pain, and (3) demonstrable evidence of ongoing research activity in this area. Full members are expected to have a substantial career commitment to teaching and research in the area of TMD-orofacial pain. Full members shall be eligible to vote, hold office, serve on committees, and participate in all programs and discussions held by the association.

B. Associate Membership

Associate members must hold a faculty position at an accredited dental school or a position at a dental institution or hospital with an ADA or CDA accredited General Practice Residency or an ADA or CDA accredited postgraduate dental specialty program. Associate members shall be eligible to serve on committees and participate in all programs and discussion held by the association, but they cannot vote or serve on the Executive Board.

IV. Election to Membership

A. Full Membership

Application to full membership shall be made on a specific application form provided by the Secretary of the Association. Election to full membership will require a 2/3 vote of the full members in attendance at a regularly scheduled annual meeting, conducted by secret written ballot or by a majority vote of all full members, conducted by mail ballot.

B. Associate Membership

Application to associate membership shall be made on a specific application form provided by the Secretary of the Association. Election Board which is composed of the President, President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Association.

V. Elected Representatives

1. From the active membership, four representatives shall be elected for three-year terms. The terms shall be staggered so that there will be only one new representative elected in any one year.
2. The newly elected representative shall progressively function as: Secretary, President-elect, President and Immediate Past-president, in that order.
3. A Treasurer shall be elected for an independent three-year term.
4. The President, Immediate Past-President, President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer serve as the Executive Board and each shall have one vote.

VI. Duties of Offices

A. The President shall:

1. Preside at the annual meetings and prepare the final agenda for meeting.
2. Appoint from the active and associate membership individuals to committees.
3. Be the official spokesperson for the Association.
4. Submit a copy of all official actions during the year to the membership.
5. Transfer all pertinent records to the new president within 30 days of the annual meeting.
6. Rule on matters of membership eligibility.
7. All actions of the president are subject to confirmation by the vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.

B. The President-Elect shall:

1. Assume the duties of the president in the president's absence.
2. Succeed to president's office in case of vacancy.
3. Arrange annual meeting of the group.
4. Write a summary report of the presentations and distribute it to all members following the meeting.
5. Transfer all pertinent records to the new vice-president within 30 days of election.
6. Prepare and send out new program and individual membership applications to all members 90 days prior to annual meeting.

C. The Secretary shall:

1. Keep minutes of all regular, special and annual meetings of the Association.
2. Submit to the membership prior to the annual meeting a copy of the minutes taken from the previous year's annual meeting.
3. Examine the membership roster each year to determine continued eligibility in the Association.
4. Keep a current roster of names and addresses of all institutional individuals, and associate members of the Association.
5. Insure all appointed committee reports are submitted for the annual meeting.

D. The Treasurer shall:

1. Receive and process all membership dues.
2. Pay all approved expenses of the Association.
3. Submit the treasurer's report at each regular meeting.

E. The Immediate Past-President shall:

1. Serve on the Executive Board.
2. Provide the necessary "organizational memory."

VII. Elections.

Elections shall be held during the annual meeting. A slate of names shall be submitted by the executive board; however, nominations may also be made from the floor.

VIII. Committees

1. Shall be established as needed by the president after consultation with the other elected officers of the association.
2. A report of the activities of each committee shall be presented at the request of the president. A written report shall be submitted 30 days prior to the annual meeting.

IX. Meetings

1. The Association shall hold at least one meeting per year.
2. The planning of annual meetings shall be the responsibility of the program chair. These responsibilities include local arrangements and program planning.
3. A registration fee in an appropriate amount, fixed by the executive board, shall be charged to individual and associate members to cover the expenses of the annual meeting.

X. Dues

1. Dues per individual and Associate members shall become due and payable at the first session of the annual meeting and shall be declared delinquent if not paid at that time.
2. Names of delinquent members shall be deleted from membership roster after six months.
3. Dues shall be in the amount fixed by the executive board with the approval of three-fourths of the membership at the annual meeting.

XI. Revision of Bylaws

Any revision of the bylaws will require a 2/3 vote of the full members in attendance at a regularly scheduled annual meeting, conducted by secret ballot or by a majority vote of all full members, conducted by secret mail ballot.