Level 1 - Foundations of GNM PHYSIOLOGIC OCCLUSION

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

Course Description: "Your Gateway to a New Understanding of Occlusion and TMD"
Teaching Method: Lecture, Participation
Prerequisite Course: None
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

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What You Will Learn | Course Objectives | Clinical Challenge | About Your Teacher | Testimonials

Level 1 – Foundations of GNM Physiologic Occlusion

Are you achieving consistent, predictable occlusal results — or are you still chasing the bite on difficult cases?
Do you truly understand why some restorations fail, or do you chalk it up to the patient?
Are you relying on your K7 or EMG readings to tell you where the bite is — rather than your own trained clinical eye?
Have you sensed that something is missing from your gnathologic or neuromuscular training, but couldn't name exactly what it was?
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 — if you are honest with yourself — 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 fully 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 five questions honestly:

When you take a bite registration on a difficult case — are you truly confident it represents a physiologic position, or are you accepting the most repeatable result and calling it good enough?
Can you explain to your patient — in clear, confident, clinically grounded language — exactly why their bite is causing their symptoms and exactly what you are going to do about it?
Do you know the difference between a patient who is truly at physiologic rest and one who is simply habituated to a compromised position — and does that difference change how you treat them?
When a restoration fails or a patient reports new discomfort after treatment — do you have a systematic, reproducible diagnostic process that tells you exactly why it happened and exactly how to prevent it next time?
Do you know what is missing from your current 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.

These are not trick questions. They are the questions that every honest, self-aware clinician eventually asks — and that no dental school, no standard CE program, and no classical occlusal training has ever fully answered.

Level 1 is where the answers begin.

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

This Is Not the Course You Think It Is

Level 1 is called a foundational course — but experienced clinicians who attend consistently say the same thing: "This is not a beginner course. This changed everything."

Whether you have never touched a K7 or have been using one for 20 years, Level 1 delivers something no other course does: Dr. Chan's complete GNM thinking process — the integrated, physiologically-grounded framework that finally makes sense of what classical neuromuscular and gnathologic training left unresolved.

This is not a review. This is a revelation.

What GNM Changes That NM Dentistry Misses

Standard neuromuscular training teaches you to lower the EMGs and trust the TENS to find the bite. But TENS alone does not determine a physiologic bite registration. If you think it does — think again.

GNM (Gneuromuscular Dentistry) goes further. It integrates the precision of gnathologic principles with the functional clarity of neuromuscular science — resulting in a bite registration process that is objective, reproducible, and verifiable in three dimensions: vertical, anteroposterior, and frontal.

Level 1 teaches you Dr. Chan's proven Optimized Bite protocol — the same methodology that forms the foundation for every subsequent level of OC training, and the same protocol that cannot be learned anywhere else in the world.

What You Will Learn in Two Days

The 10 Fundamental Physiologic Principles of GNM Occlusion

These principles form the clinical backbone of everything taught at OC. You will leave Level 1 understanding not just what they are, but why they matter and how to apply them from your first Monday morning back in the office.

Foundational Concepts and Clinical Thinking

Posture of the head, neck, and mandible in relation to cranial alignment
How the masticatory system influences the body's entire postural support system
Resting and functioning muscle modes — and their role in joint health and dysfunction
Musculoskeletal occlusal signs and symptoms — how to recognize what most dentists overlook
Collapsed bites and deficient vertical dimension — how to identify and address them
Force and balance factors as they relate to physiologic occlusion
Bruxism, clenching, and avoidance patterns — recognition and control
Introduction to orthotic stabilization therapy

The Optimized Bite — Hands-On Practicum

How to properly use the J5 Ultra Low Frequency Dental TENS to achieve true muscle relaxation — not just reduction
How to capture an Optimized Bite physiologically without dependence on Shimbashi measurements, calipers, or EMG readings alone
How to properly relate upper and lower dental casts in a physiologically optimal position
When to change vertical dimension — and critically, when not to
How to identify the correct frontal and lateral trajectory, even in reduced disc cases
Introduction to evaluation, analysis, and diagnosis from mounted casts

The GNM Distinction

The rationale of GNM technique vs. classical NM and mechanical bite registration approaches
Why gnathologic principles are essential to resolving NM problems
How esthetics and function interrelate to achieve the best bite relationship for the patient
How to communicate value to your patients with clarity and confidence

Course Objectives:

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

Present the principles of GNM Dentistry (Gneuromuscular) 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 the postural problems that often go unrecognized in comprehensive treatment planning.
How to identify the numerous musculoskeletal occlusal signs and symptoms, prior to esthetic treatment, which patients pose as risk to instability.
The rationale of the physiologic GNM (Gneuromuscular) technique vs. classical NM (neuromuscular) and mechanical bite registration techniques.
How to properly use the Dental TENS at the next level effectively to relax masticatory muscles.
How to properly capture a physiologic bite relationship using Dr. Chan's proven and scientific techniques and bite taking protocols with TENS – Two Session Hands On Practicum and Demonstrations with Dr. Chan and team of mentors.
How to properly relate the 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.
How to know when to change vertical and when not to change vertical dimensions.
How to effectively communicate value to your patients.

Without these keys an Optimized bite relationship is compromised and clinical time is wasted. In this training we do not depend on low EMG and TENS only to optimally establish neutral jaw relationship but rather we take the process to a more advanced level showing the dentists things that are over looked and missed in typical neuromuscular trainings. TENS alone will not determine a physiologic bite registration. If you think so, think again! Level 1 will begin to separate your dentistry from the usual and customary style of dental practice and allows the dentist to begin to treat the more complex cases.

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 — one that finally makes sense of everything classical training left unresolved.

No more accepting good enough when physiologically optimal is achievable. No more uncertainty at the bite registration appointment. No more patients you cannot help because you cannot diagnose what is wrong.

Just clear, systematic, physiologically-grounded clinical thinking — from the first appointment to the final restoration — the way dentistry was always meant to be practiced.

About Your Teacher

CLAYTON A. CHAN, D.D.S. Founder, Director and Teacher Occlusion Connections —The Center for Gneuromuscular Dentistry & Orthopedic Advancement

Dr. Chan demonstrates what to see and look for when observing the fine nuances of jaw movement and positioning as they relate to muscles, joints and disc relationships during bite registration technique training. These advance teachings go beyond classic "neuromuscular" occlusal concepts and classical TENS bite techniques. Dr. Chan's GNM occlusal process addresses what is not recognized even in NM teachings. A blend of both gnathologic and neuromuscular concepts are uniquely presented. Dr. Chan is able to uniquely bridge the gap and bring a NEW "Thinking Process" to every GP and specialist, addressing the problems every experience dentist knows exists but do not know what to do about it. GNM is not NM. (Dr. Chan is the originator and developer). More About Dr. Chan →

More Details About LEVEL 1 Course:

This course is exactly what most experienced dentists are missing and did not realize it.
If you want to learn predictable occlusal techniques and avoid or minimize failing restorations, prevent unnecessary pain and TMD mishaps, this course will show you how the temporomandibular joint and postural system works.
If you are searching for how to establish yourself into a particular niche practice in your later practicing years this is the GNM journey you must take.
Many clinicians admit that there are missing gaps in their gnathologic (CR) and neuromuscular (NM) journey and are not sure what it is.
Simple, effective tips, techniques and understanding will change your outlook on dentistry and how you practice.
After years of frustrations your passion for dentistry can be re-ignited and re-established so you can master dentistry in a way you never realized was possible.

The GNM principles of homeostasis go beyond basic occlusal understanding. Resolving the underlying occlusal problems of TMD takes on a greater responsibility to understand the missing concepts, methods and techniques that are not taught in this profession.

Note: Participants are encouraged to bring crown and bridge quality model casts of their own mouth for bite registration exercises.

What Doctors Say About Level 1

"I encourage every dentist who has some or no occlusion background should take Occlusion connection courses. I have taken 8 +2 courses with Dr.Clayton Chan and no doubt it has transformed my dental career and allowed me to practice advanced dentistry with high confidence. Honestly speaking, I have used and applied OC or GNM concept taught by Dr. Chan, in everything I do in dentistry from restorative, ortho, TMJ treatment to full mouth rehab with crowns or AOX prosthesis. Highly recommend his courses and I can reassure you won’t regret. I really got hooked and addicted to his teaching at the beginning and it did take me two straight years to complete his 8+2 courses. Thanks Dr. Chan for your unique OC GNM teaching!!!" - Cory N. Nguyen, D.D.S., Dallas, TX (K7 owner, OC Levels 8+2).

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"Please do yourself a favor and take this course. It will make you such a better dentist and increase your confidence dramatically. Dr. Chan also provides a wonderful community of excellent colleagues as support. It is by far, the best CE I have ever taken and I have taken them all!" - Kathi M. Mansell, D.M.D., Scottsdale, AZ (OC Levels 8+3)

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"Finally after 4 years I was "blinded", learned by myself and bothered my Singapore colleagues a lot about optimized bite, last month I saw myself and learned to take the Chan's optimized bite from Dr. Chan himself ! (thanks Dr. Chan and all OC docs from your warm hello). So, after my level 1, I was delivering 2 orthotics last week (and using TATAB protocol this time) and no more blinded because I had seen 'that's the bite'.

Still very far from perfection, but I had felt the difference although since 4 years ago I had been using J5 tens myomonitor. Lv 1 was really opening my eyes. Patient with pictures attached has just come for follow up today, and she told me : "I was treating by chiropractor for 1 year because of my back pain in my left side, and also I looked terrible when I was walking and standing, and even more smiling. But since last week, after I use orthotic, all the symptoms are suddenly gone like nowhere It's fantastic !"" - Immilia Eka Pertiwi, BDS, Surabya, Indonesia (J5 owner).

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"A wealth of knowledge and information provided beyond past NM educational training. A real "eye opener" learning experience! Dr. Chan offers a unique ability to convey his expertise in a manner that makes learning easy. Nothing was left to chance!! Attention to detail could not have been better. OC has created a "personalized learning experience" beyond any C.E. course I have ever taken before." -
Gregg Melfi, D.D.S., Rhode Island (Experienced K7 owner, NM Trained).

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"Just got back from Level 1 and I have to commend Clayton on a wonderful job of blending more advanced material with delivering the NM message all at the same time. There were 4 seasoned clinicians and 4 new individuals being introduced to the optimized NM principals. At no time was I bored or felt as if the lectures were not geared to all in the room. The material for me brought all The prior teachings into a very systematic approach to taking a bite and solving the bite and pain issues for your patients. I highly recommend the 2 days to all as I know you will return with very practical information that you can apply immediately. It is nice to spend 2 days with someone with as much passion for teaching NM dentistry as Clayton. Thank you". - David J Martin DDS MAGD, Totowa, New Jersey (Experienced K7 owner, NM trained)

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"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. After years of chasing EMGs thinking I had nailed the bite, I realize after 2 days that's not the optimized way of taking the bite....Ready to move on now." - Jerry M. Strauss, D.M.D., Fairfield, New Jersey (Experienced K7 owner, NM trained)

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"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.

I'd like to share a funny story, one week before the course, I happened to bring my husband to a local NM/TMJ dentist for an evaluation, he was hooked up to the Biopac EMG, it was malfunctioned, he played around with it for an hour, could not get the readings. He apologized and wanted to reschedule, he said without the machine he couldn't diagnose. My husband rushed out of there, telling me he didn't want to come back. He said he lost confidence in the doctor.

So Dr Chan, when you said your goal is teach us to not rely on the machine, I knew you are a genuine article!

I just ordered the J5, so excited to start on my GNM journey with a wonderful, knowledgable, and humble group of doctors on this board." Thank you!

- Annie Pham, DDS, Santa Clara, California

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"Clayton, Just wanted to thank you for convincing me to attend the level one OC course. You were right, it's 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 gneurmuscular dentistry which were never taught before. You blended basic GNM knowledge for the beginner with advanced insights for the experienced K-7 user to take home and improve all of our techniques. The most important for me was that I was able to come home and take better bites on Monday morning consistently. A key component for me was get me to refocus on the patient and not on the K-7 when taking my bites. These insights gave me increased confidence in taking bites on the difficult cases where the condyles are not tracking in unison and how to logically unravel each situation and get a great bite and be able to care for my patient at a higher level. PS Those seasoned K-7 Vets, you won't be wasting your time ,honestly. Thanks Clayton you continue to reignite my gneuromuscular passion." -- Tom Streko, D.M.D., Westfield, New Jersey (K7 NM experienced owner)

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"Thank you very much for an outstanding course this past weekend.....I was amazed at how much I still learned in your level 1 course. I can only speak for myself but I thought starting at Level 1 was ideal. I was able to learn how you get an optimized bite from a much more fundamental level. There is no way to “overthink” things when learning from Clayton. He presents things in such a practical and understandable format that you really walk away “getting it”. I have always felt that I was missing something. I was never able to resolve my patients issues and now I realize it’s because I was missing some very important basic concepts to consider. I enjoyed the other doctors input as well. It seemed that some of us had more advanced training than others but everyone worked very well together. The Class size was perfect for learning and I felt like I had enough individual time with Clayton to ask my own questions about certain cases that I am seeing in my practice. Thanks you very much for simplifying GNM concepts for me and helping me become a better clinician. I look forward to Level 2 and 3 and 4 coming up over the next few months." - Rod Strober, D.D.S., San Diego, CA (Experienced K7 owner, NM trained)

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"Having attended level one this weekend really makes me appreciate the sequencing of your curriculum. As has been said many times on the forum, and after originally jumping in at level five because I made some wrong assumptions about what might be presented in the more " beginner courses " I truly appreciate the sequence of transitioning from one tooth dentistry to whole mouth dentistry. As one matures as a dentist one continually seeks answers. Mine were all about occlusion. If your information had of been as readily available as its is today through OC, my journey would have been more self satisfying and stress free because 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. It will make them so much more confident in their daily practices and. 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, BSc, D.D.S., Chairman of Pacific Dental Conference, Vancouver/Vernon, B.C. Canada (K7 NM experienced owner)

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"I wish to post to the group that I have just returned from attending Level 1 course this weekend with Clayton and Jane. It indeed is a pleasure to always meet new doctors and share stories. However, I also would like to mention that this course is extremely important for all of us to attend in our own journeys, I say that because I have been involved in my neuromuscular journey since 1989 when I took a learning week course in Seattle with Dr. Jankelson and numerous other courses with other people or groups since that time. This course will provide knowledge about the recapturing of the discs and function of the lateral pterygoid muscles which have always been a missing link for me in my interpretation of proper physiologic occlusion. I encourage everyone to attend
Thank-you Clayton and Jane, as always, for your hospitality and encouragement to all of us."
- Al Winchar, D.M.D., Winnipeg, Manitoba (K7 NM experienced owner)

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"I just wanted to let Dr. Chan know how much I enjoyed the first installment of his CE Lecture series. I have been reading my manual and I am very excited about what I learned and can't wait to continue learning! Thank you again for the opportunity to come and learn and rub shoulders with you both and the other great doctors that attended."
-Amy Gearin, DMD, Las Vegas, Nevada

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"Thank you so much for all your hard work and hospitality. I truly enjoyed the course and have already received my myomonitor today and scheduled 2 pts for the tens and byte registrations. I can not wait to gain some experience and take the following courses."
-Sam Sadati. DDS, FAACD, Wellington, Florida (K7 NM experienced owner)

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"Very useful-hands on information. Smaller class size was great! Amazing learning experience!"
- Janice Okamura, DMD, Vancouver, BC, Canada

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"Dr. Chan was very discriptive and easy to understand the details that were discussed. I finally heard someone that knows bites. This makes sense HIP does not. This course should be required by the ADA for every dentist and dental specialist. Can't wait for the next course."
-Chris Barnes - Arrowhead Dental Laboratory Sandy, Utah

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"This course made me better understand occlusion. Dr. Chan was very concise and presented the material in a very intersting manner. I thoroughly enjoyed the course. It exceeded my expectations."
- Gary Buzbee, DDS, Springfield, Missouri

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"I was going back and forth on going, thinking I already knew this. .... But what you brought to the table this time was something much more electric (no pun intended). You opened my eyes to things I have seen in my practice, but did not quite understand. I see them now! That was absolutely fantastic. Your presentation skills are fantastic and your gift to draw in the doctors to participate is quite unique. I have absolutely no doubt that this is going to be a huge success for you."
- Doug Cast, DDS, Murrieta, California

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