Dr. James M. Hawkins, DDS, MS, MEd-HPE is the Chair of the Orofacial Pain Center at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. A Navy Commander with 14 years of clinical experience, he holds dual board certification as a Diplomate of both the American Board of Orofacial Pain and the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, a distinction held by very few clinicians in the country. Dr. Hawkins earned advanced degrees in Oral Biology and Health Professions Education alongside specialty residency training at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain Guidelines Committee, directly shaping the clinical standards his peers follow across the country. As an Oral Examiner for the American Board of Orofacial Pain and Assistant Editor for CRANIO journal, he evaluates clinicians seeking board certification and contributes to peer-reviewed research in his field. His clinical approach combines pharmacological management, medical acupuncture, and onobotulinum toxin A injections to treat patients with chronic facial pain, jaw disorders, and sleep-related breathing conditions. Dr. Hawkins received both the AMSUS Top Dentist Award and the Walter Reed Master Clinician Award in 2026.

Specialties

1
Orofacial PainPrimary
Diagnosis and management of chronic facial and oral pain disorders

Education & Training

Certificate in Orofacial Pain, Naval Postgraduate Dental School (2015)
B.A., Health Science, Denison University (2005)
D.D.S., Ohio State (2010)
M.S., Oral Biology, USUHS (2015)

Board Certifications

Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain
Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine

What does Board Certified mean?

Credential: DDS

NPI registered: 07/09/2010

Are you this provider? Claim your profile to add your education and training details.

Areas of Focus

Chronic orofacial pain managementTemporomandibular disorders (TMD)Dental sleep medicineMedical acupunctureTrigeminal neuralgiaHeadache management

Technology & Equipment

Botulinum toxin injections

Professional Memberships

American Academy of Orofacial Pain
American Board of Orofacial Pain Oral Examiner

Awards & Recognition

AMSUS - The Society of Federal Health Professionals - Top Dentist Award (2026)
USUHS Postgraduate Dental College Outstanding Senior Educator's Award (2024)
NPDS Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence (2021)
Walter Reed Associate Master Clinician Award (2021)

Beyond the Office

Chair, Orofacial Pain Department at Naval Postgraduate Dental School (2022-Present)

Chair, Navy Dental Corps Academic Review Committee (2022-Present)

Co-Chair, American Academy of Orofacial Pain Guidelines Committee (2023-Present)

Orofacial Pain Specialty Leader and Consultant to the Navy Surgeon General (2021-2025)

American Board of Orofacial Pain Oral Examiner (2018-Present)

Co-Chair, TMD-Mental Health BUMED Working Group (2025)

Board of Directors, American Academy of Orofacial Pain (2020-2024)

Co-Chair, American Academy of Orofacial Pain Resident & Academic Training Committee (2017-2024)

Orofacial Pain Residency Program Director (2019-2022)

Faculty Senator, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (2019-2022)

Assistant Editor for CRANIO journal

Originally from Columbus, Ohio

Served in the U.S. Navy as Commander

Provider information is sourced from the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) maintained by CMS. Information may not reflect the most current data. Providers can claim their profile to update and verify their details.