Click here to register today!
Have you ever wondered how arthritis and other rheumatic diseases might affect the jaw? You’re not the only one… and we’ve got the answers!
Join us on September 13 to hear from Pediatric Rheumatologist, Dr. Marinka Twilt and Pediatric Physiotherapist, Julia Brooks, as they discuss:
• Signs and symptoms of jaw problems and how to determine if it’s related to arthritis or a separate problem?
• Why certain tests might be needed
• At-home jaw exercises
• And some tips and tricks for a healthy jaw.
You’ll also get to hear the first-hand experience of navigating jaw pain from youth speaker, Emily Bessey!
Session Speakers
Pediatric Rheumatologist at Alberta Children’s Hospital
Marinka Twilt trained in the Netherlands and Toronto. After working in the UK and Denmark she joined the Alberta Children’s Hospital in 2015 where she runs the Autoinflammatory Diseases clinic.
Dr. Twilt’s interests are in precision medicine for rheumatic diseases, autoinflammatory diseases and TMJ arthritis. Dr. Twilt is active in the Childhood Arthritis Rheumatology Research Alliance autoinflammatory group and leads the development of the CARRA AID registry. Dr. Twilt is also interested in training the new young generation and is active in the Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist program.
Pediatric physiotherapist at the Alberta Children’s Hospital
Julia is a pediatric physiotherapist at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. She received her Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy (BMRPT) in 2003 from the University of Manitoba. She has published on subjects such as Exercise Therapy in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Assessment of Joint and Muscle Bleeds, and Standards of Care and Clinical Practice Guidelines for Persons with Hemophilia. She is currently the President of the Canadian Physiotherapists in Hemophilia Care, and on the committee of the Canadian Bleeding Disorders Registry (CBDR), as well as the Parents Empowering Parents committee.
Youth Speaker – Patient Perspective
Emily Bessey is a 19-year-old university student, originally from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia. Emily was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis at the age of 6, and after approximately a year of treatment, her team discovered damage to her TMJ joints as well as the surrounding cartilage. Since then, Emily has been followed by the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery team at the QEII Hospital in Halifax as well as the rheumatology departments at the IWK Health Centre and QEII Hospital. She is scheduled for jaw surgery this December. Emily is currently studying Musical Theatre and Gender Studies at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick, she is a self-described “bookworm” and also loves volunteering, hiking and singing. You can read more about Emily’s journey with TMJ here.
