Meet Dr. Shankar, BDS, FICCMO (USA)
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) & Orofacial Pain Specialist
Dental Surgeon with over 10 years of clinical experience specializing in Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders, Orofacial Pain, Airway Dentistry, Dental Sleep Medicine, Neck pain Treatment, Posture Correction, Cervical spondylosis Treatment and Functional Dentistry. Currently serving as Head of Department – TMJ, Head & Neck Pain Care at Vital Care Maldives, leading specialized clinical services for patients with complex craniofacial pain, jaw dysfunction, and sleep-related breathing disorders.
Recognized for pioneering the integration of Airway Dentistry and Dental Sleep Medicine into clinical practice at Vital Care Maldives, Dr. Shankar combines advanced diagnostic expertise with evidence-based, patient-centered care. His practice focuses on identifying the root cause of complex functional oral health conditions through comprehensive evaluation of the jaw, airway, muscles, and nervous system.
Professional Profile
Professional Experience
Head of Department – TMJ & Head & Neck Pain Care
Vital Care Maldives | Present
- Lead the specialized TMJ and Head & Neck Pain Department.
- Diagnose and manage complex Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders and Orofacial Pain conditions.
- Develop individualized, evidence-based treatment plans.
- Lead multidisciplinary patient care and clinical decision-making.
- Mentor and collaborate with clinical teams to improve patient outcomes.
Dental Surgeon – Airway Dentistry & Dental Sleep Medicine
Vital Care Maldives
- Pioneer in establishing Airway Dentistry and Dental Sleep Medicine services.
- Perform comprehensive airway evaluations.
- Manage patients with sleep-disordered breathing and snoring.
- Provide oral appliance therapy for selected sleep-related disorders.
- Integrate airway-focused concepts into comprehensive dental care.
Dental Surgeon
Assignment Dental Clinic (Facets), Kochi, Kerala
July 2013 – Present
- Comprehensive diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Preventive, restorative, and functional dental care.
- Long-term patient management.
Full-Time Dental Surgeon
The Smile Center, Kochi
- General and advanced restorative dental procedures.
- Patient education and preventive care.
- Comprehensive treatment planning.
Senior House Surgeon
Government General Hospital, Coimbatore | 2012
- Hospital-based dental care.
- Surgical assistance.
- Emergency dental management.
Observer & Assistant Dentist
Angel Nursing Home, Chennai | 2010 – 2011
- Orthodontic clinical assistance.
- Patient management.
- Chairside procedures.
Qualifications
- Senior Residency – Government General Hospital, Coimbatore – 2012
- Rotary Internship – Sri Ramachandra University – July, 2011
- Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) – Sri Ramachandra University – 2010
Advanced Training
- Fellow, International College of Cranio-Mandibular Orthopedics (FICCMO), USA
- Advanced Training in TMJ & Orofacial Pain Management (USA)
- Basic Life Support (BLS) – American Heart Association
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) – American Heart Association
Areas of Expertise
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders
- Orofacial Pain
- Craniofacial Pain
- Airway Dentistry
- Dental Sleep Medicine
- Head & Neck Pain Management
- Functional Dentistry
- Cranio-Mandibular Orthopedics
- Occlusal (Bite) Analysis
- Functional Occlusion
- Oral Appliance Therapy
- Comprehensive TMJ Evaluation
- Functional Oral Health Assessment
Clinical Interests
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Chronic Facial Pain
- Jaw Dysfunction
- Headaches Associated with TMJ Disorders
- Migraine Related to Jaw Dysfunction
- Sleep-Disordered Breathing
- Snoring
- Bruxism
- Occlusal Disorders
- Functional Jaw Rehabilitation
Professional Leadership
- Head of Department – TMJ & Head & Neck Pain Care, Vital Care Maldives
- Pioneer in Airway Dentistry & Dental Sleep Medicine at Vital Care Maldives
- Leader in multidisciplinary management of TMJ and Orofacial Pain conditions
Professional Achievements
- Established and currently leads the TMJ & Head & Neck Pain Department at Vital Care Maldives.
- Introduced and advanced Airway Dentistry and Dental Sleep Medicine services within a specialized clinical setting.
- Recognized for expertise in the diagnosis and management of complex TMJ disorders and craniofacial pain conditions.
Visit Dr. Shankar at Your Nearest Clinic
Whether you’re in Ernakulam or Chennai, expert TMJ and Orofacial Pain care is within reach.