Dr. Jerome N. Peterson
More than 40 years of experience evaluating and treating industrial dental injuries, TMJ disorders, and orofacial pain.
Dr. Peterson was born in Los Angeles and raised in Southern California. He attended the University of Southern California (USC), graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of the Pacific (UOP) School of Dentistry in San Francisco, where he graduated as President of his dental school class.
Following graduation, he opened his dental practice in Santa Ana, California — the city he has now returned to. He has dedicated his career to the evaluation and treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMJ/TMD) and orofacial pain, and to the care of injured workers — performing treatment in all aspects of dentistry, from restorations and periodontal care to full-mouth reconstruction with dental implants and fixed prosthetic restorations.
Dr. Peterson was one of two dentists in the State of California appointed as a Subject Matter Expert in the development of the Qualified Medical Evaluator examination for dental and orofacial pain-related industrial injuries. He has served as a Qualified Medical Evaluator, Agreed Medical Evaluator, Independent Medical Evaluator, and expert witness in the field of TMJ and temporomandibular disorders. He also evaluates and treats patients with sleep-disordered breathing, sleep apnea, and snoring.
Dr. Peterson and his staff are committed to a thorough and confidential assessment of every patient — an accurate diagnosis first, then an appropriate treatment plan. Every patient is treated as a unique and special person.
Dr. Peterson is married and raised three children. In his spare time he enjoys fishing, snow skiing, and time with family and friends.
- Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME), State of California
- Fellow, Academy of General Dentistry
- Member, American Dental Association
- Fellow/Master, International College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics
- Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management
- Former Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of the Pacific School of Dentistry
- NPI
- 1134393366
- CA dental licence
- 23551
- QME status
- Active · Dentistry
- Practice address
- Santa Ana, CA
Verifiable through the NPI Registry, the Dental Board of California, and the DWC QME directory.
Teaching appointments
- Senior Clinical Instructor, Craniofacial Pain / TMJ Clinic, White Memorial Medical Center, Los Angeles (affiliated with Loma Linda University Medical School)
- Clinical Director of Oral Medicine, Clinical Practice Program for the Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Craniofacial Pain — White Memorial Medical Center
- Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, University of the Pacific School of Dentistry, San Francisco (1997–2001)
He has lectured for the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry, the UCSF School of Dentistry's Annual Scientific Session, the San Gabriel Valley Claims Association, and numerous workers' compensation compliance seminars on TMJ documentation and case resolution.
Publications
- Journal of Endodontics — "Filling of Root Canal With Adhesive Materials," Vol. 1, No. 4, April 1975
- South Coast Metro Magazine — "Headache Sufferers: Open and Say Ah," Vol. 1, No. 7, June 1983
- Journal of the California Dental Association — "Concerned California Dentists," Vol. 18, No. 6, June 1990
- Journal of Craniomandibular Practice — "Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block: A Safe and Easy Method for Pain Management," Vol. 13, No. 3, 1995
- American Journal of Pain Management — "Orofacial Pain Referral Patterns from the Pectoralis and Soleus Muscles," Vol. 7, No. 1, 1997
Over 1,500 hours of postgraduate continuing education in TMJ, orthodontics, functional jaw orthopedics, neuromuscular occlusion, and oral diagnosis and treatment planning.