Course Description: "Your Gateway to a New Understanding of Occlusion and TMD"

Teaching Method: Lecture, Participation

Prerequisite Course: None — open to all clinicians

CE Credit Hours: 16

AGD Subject Code(s): 181 Myofascial Pain/Occlusion | 010 Basic Science/Physiology | 200 Orofacial Pain/Musculoskeletal Orofacial Pain | 154 Sports Dentistry

Level 1 - Foundations of GNM PHYSIOLOGIC OCCLUSION

The Course That Finally Answers the Occlusal Questions Dental School Never Did

A 2-Day Masterclass and Hands-On Training with Dr. Clayton A. Chan

This is where your GNM journey begins.

Jump To: Clinical Challenge | Level 1 Overview | Course Objectives | About Your Teacher | Testimonials

THE PRINCIPLE:

There are laws of nature. There are laws of physics. And there are principles of physiologic occlusion that govern every bite you take — whether you know them or not.

THE BITE IS EITHER RIGHT — OR IT IS NOT.

Level 1 is where you learn the principles that make it right — every time.

Are you achieving consistent predictable occlusal results — or still chasing the bite?
Do you truly understand why some restorations fail?
Are you relying on your K7 or EMG to find the bite — rather than your own trained clinical eye?
Have you sensed something is missing from your occlusal training but couldn't name exactly what?
Are you ready to practice dentistry at a level most clinicians never reach?

If any of these resonate, Level 1 is exactly where your OC journey begins.

A Challenge for Every Clinician Who Has Ever Questioned Their Own Bite

You have been practicing dentistry for years. You are skilled, experienced, and genuinely committed to your patients. And yet — there are moments at the chair that still give you pause.

The bite that never quite settles.
The patient who keeps coming back with discomfort you cannot explain.
The restoration that looked perfect on the model but created problems in the mouth.
The TMD case you referred out because you did not know where to begin.

Before you decide you already know what Level 1 has to offer — answer these honestly:

Are you confident your bite registration represents a truly physiologic position — or just the most repeatable one?
Can you explain to your patient exactly why their bite is causing their symptoms?
Do you know the difference between true physiologic rest and a habituated compromised position?
When a restoration fails — do you know exactly why?
Do you know what is missing from your occlusal thinking — or do you just sense that something is?

If any of these give you pause — you have just identified exactly why Level 1 exists.

Without a proper bite registration and diagnosis occlusal treatment is doomed to fail."

This Is Not the Course You Think It Is

Experienced clinicians who attend consistently say the same thing:

"This is not a beginner course. This changed everything."

Whether you are brand new to occlusion or have been practicing for 20+ years — Level 1 delivers something no other course does:

Dr. Chan's complete GNM thinking process
An integrated physiologically-grounded framework
The clinical answers that every other occlusal training leaves unresolved

If you have already invested in some of the most respected occlusal and restorative training programs in dentistry — and still sense something is missing — you are not alone.

The most common feedback OC receives from highly trained, experienced clinicians is this:

"I did not know what I did not know — until Level 1."

This is not a review. This is a revelation.

What GNM Changes That NM Dentistry Misses

Standard NM training teaches you to lower the EMGs and trust the TENS
TENS alone does not determine a physiologic bite registration
GNM changes how you think, how you see, and what you observe in your patients
Most dentists miss underlying musculoskeletal issues that affect the occlusion — they treat the teeth but not the cause
GNM integrates gnathologic principles with neuromuscular science

Level 1 teaches you Dr. Chan's proven Optimized Bite protocol — the only protocol of its kind in the world.

Level 1 Overview: Philosophy & Framework

GNM is not a technique. It is a thinking process.

The 10 Fundamental Physiologic Principles that govern every bite — apply them Monday morning
Hands-on bite registration using J5 Dental TENS — verbal commands, clinical observation, cast relationships
When to change vertical dimension — and when not to
How to identify the correct trajectory — even in non reducing disc cases

GNM integrates gnathologic principles with neuromuscular science — and goes beyond what classical NM training ever addressed.

This is where your clinical thinking changes permanently.

The GNM Distinction

GNM integrates gnathologic principles with neuromuscular science
Goes beyond classical NM — addressing what NM training leaves unresolved
Treats the physiologic cause — not just the structural symptoms

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Present the principles of GNM — Gneuromuscular Dentistry — and apply the methodology for diagnosis and comprehensive treatment planning
Identify the postural relationships of the head, neck, and mandible to cranial alignment and explain their clinical significance
Establish an occlusion that allows optimal function of the temporomandibular joints and the neuromuscular system with relaxed muscles
Recognize the importance of resting and functioning modes of muscles and their role in jaw joint health and dysfunction
Apply Ultra Low Frequency J5 TENS optimally to achieve true physiologic muscle relaxation
Capture an Optimized Bite without dependency on EMGs alone
Integrate esthetics and function to achieve the best bite relationship for the patient — Craniomandibular facial enhancement
Identify musculoskeletal occlusal signs and symptoms and explain their influence on occlusal dentistry
Address collapsed bites and deficient vertical dimension problems clinically
Apply force and balance factors as they relate to GNM occlusion principles
Perform evaluation, analysis, and diagnosis from mounted casts
Recognize and manage bruxism, clenching, and avoidance patterns
Introduce and apply orthotic stabilization therapy principles in clinical practice

You Will Learn:

How to recognize postural problems that go unrecognized in comprehensive treatment planning
How to identify musculoskeletal occlusal signs and symptoms — and which patients pose a risk to instability
The rationale of GNM technique vs. classical NM and mechanical bite registration approaches
How to use the J5 Dental TENS to achieve true physiologic muscle relaxation
How to capture a physiologic bite relationship using Dr. Chan's proven protocols — hands-on practicum with Dr. Chan and team of mentors
How to relate upper and lower dental casts in a physiologically optimal position before starting orthotic therapy
Introduction to the modified Fox Plane Technique for maxillary cast mounting — explored in depth in Level 6
When to change vertical dimension — and when not to
How to communicate value to your patients with clarity and confidence

How Confident Are You in Your Bite Registration? After Level 1, You Will Know.

Every complex case you have ever struggled with
Every patient you could not fully resolve
Every restoration that failed for reasons you could not explain
Every bite you accepted because it was repeatable — not because you knew it was right

Level 1 does not just teach you a new technique. It gives you a completely new way of thinking about occlusion.

The bite is either right — or it is not. After Level 1 you will always know the difference.

Participants are encouraged to bring crown and bridge quality model casts of their own mouth for the bite registration practicum.

About Your Teacher

Clayton A. Chan, D.D.S. — Founder, Director, and Teacher Occlusion Connections — The Center for Gneuromuscular Dentistry and Orthopedic Advancement

When taking OC's Masterclass training, you can be assured you are taught the most current and clinically relevant techniques — based on sound science, substantiated protocols, and proven clinical application. Dr. Chan's GNM teachings have afforded dentists from around the world the ability to implement clinical occlusal techniques that achieve outstanding results in real-world dental practices.

Dr. Chan's pioneering role in Gneuromuscular Dentistry begins at Level 1 — where he personally demonstrates the fine nuances of jaw movement, mandibular positioning, and physiologic bite registration that no other course in the world teaches. As the originator and developer of GNM, Dr. Chan brings a completely new clinical thinking process to every dentist who attends — bridging gnathologic and neuromuscular science into one integrated, proven framework. More About Dr. Chan →

What Doctors Say About Level 1

"You were right — it is not really a level one course, nor was it just a refresher course. It was a course unto itself. You presented many new insights into gneuromuscular dentistry which were never taught before. You blended basic GNM knowledge for the beginner with advanced insights for the experienced K7 user. The most important for me was that I was able to come home and take better bites on Monday morning consistently. A key component was getting me to refocus on the patient and not on the K7 when taking my bites. Those seasoned K7 veterans — you will not be wasting your time." — Tom Streko, D.M.D., Westfield, NJ

"After years of chasing EMGs thinking I had nailed the bite, I realize after 2 days that is not the optimized way of taking the bite. Clayton was able to teach to a common denominator regardless of no experience or years of K7 experience. It is a rare individual that can do that successfully. Ready to move on now." — Jerry M. Strauss, D.M.D., Fairfield, NJ

"Dr. Chan, thank you very much for your passion to share with others your wealth of knowledge. You have a gift of making things easy to understand even for a newbie like myself. At first I was worried that I had no background in NM, but as the lecture went on I was glad that I have a fresh mind to learn from the true source of GNM. When you said your goal is to teach us to not rely on the machine — I knew you are a genuine article. I just ordered the J5 and am so excited to start on my GNM journey." — Annie Pham, D.D.S., Santa Clara, CA

"Having attended Level 1 this weekend really makes me appreciate the sequencing of your curriculum. I truly appreciate the sequence of transitioning from one tooth dentistry to whole mouth dentistry. Your work provides so much more of the bigger picture than any dental school can. I wholeheartedly advise anyone who is early in this journey to partake in your curriculum. The patients really appreciate knowing what is going on in their mouths and bodies — no one has ever explained that to me before." — Marke Pedersen, B.Sc., D.D.S., Chairman of Pacific Dental Conference, Vancouver/Vernon, B.C., Canada