Connect with like-minded professionals and cultivate meaningful relationships

IAOM offers educational avenues via courses and an annual convention, enabling members to remain abreast of the latest advancements in Orofacial Myology.

Membership Eligibility

IAOM active membership is available to healthcare professionals who have a background as: Dentist (DDS/DMD), Physician (MD/DO), Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH), Dental Therapist (DT), Speech Language Pathologist (SLP), Physical Therapist (PT), Occupational Therapist (OT). Individuals from unrelated professions can apply for special consideration.

  • Educational Background in a professional listed above.
  • Completed a new active member application
  • Fulfill Membership dues payment.

Connect with like-minded professionals and cultivate meaningful relationships. Enjoy exclusive benefits with your membership, such as our informative newsletter, IJOM access, and convention rate discount.

Choose Your Membership Below

Active

To qualify for active membership you must have an educational background in a profession listed above, completed the membership applications, and fulfill membership dues payment.

  • IAOM Newsletter
  • Convention Rate Discount

  • IJOM Access

  • The Membership class from which the BOD is selected must consist of Certified Members.
  • Members Directory Listing

  • Annual Membership Dues

Retired

Retired members must have maintained active membership prior to transitioning to retired status

  • IAOM Newsletter
  • Convention Rate Discount

  • IJOM Access

  • Ineligible to serve on the Board of Directors or participate in organizational committees.

  • Exempt from annual membership dues

Active

To qualify for active membership you must have an educational background in a profession listed above, completed the membership applications, and fulfill membership dues payment.

  • IAOM Newsletter
  • Convention Rate Discount

  • IJOM Access

  • The Membership class from which the BOD is selected must consist of Certified Members.
  • Members Directory Listing

  • Annual Membership Dues

Retired

Retired members must have maintained active membership prior to transitioning to retired status

  • IAOM Newsletter
  • Convention Rate Discount

  • IJOM Access

  • Ineligible to serve on the Board of Directors or participate in organizational committees.

  • Exempt from annual membership dues

Certified Orofacial Myologist® (COM®)

Certification Eligibility and Enrollment

The COM® holds merit as allied health professionals and parents recognize the rigorous work, education, time, and dedication that goes into earning and becoming a Certified Orofacial Myologist (COM®).

The IAOM is the founding organization that has established a true certification process in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy. The COM® has been referred to as the “gold standard.” This is due to our third party process of testing and examination process, which is much like our education vs our licensure.

The IAOM believes so deeply in the certification process, we have a registered trademark on the COM® credential, thanks to past President Kristie Gatto MA, CCC-SLP, COM®.

The COM® is considered the highest level of achievement in the field of myofunctional therapy.

We are proud of all of our members and COM’s and invite you to join our esteemed organization!

Becoming Certified

Steps to become a COM®

Certified Orofacial Myologist®

  • Join IAOM as an Active member

  • Complete a 28 hour orofacial myofunctional therapy course.
    This must be from one course resulting in minimum of 28 hours and not several courses total in 28 hours. You must provide your course completion certificate or course verification with the enrollment of the certification application.

  • Begin implementation in a clinical setting.
    Begin implementing what you have learned by developing a caseload! You will need experience in the assessment and treatment of orofacial myofunctional disorders prior to starting the certification process. It is required for you to have worked with a minimum of two patients, ages four year or older, who have completed the entire program.

  • Apply to enroll in the COM® certification $225.00 enrollment fee
    Your Active membership dues must be current. The Certification enrollment fee is separate from your membership dues. You will not receive the case study guidelines of what is required until you officially enroll in the certification program.

  • Case Study
    You must have two completed cases to submit for your case study portion of the exam. Your two patients must be ages four years or older, who have completed an entire myofunctional therapy program, including your recall protocol. Cases may not go back further than two- years. Both cases must receive a passing grade in order to move onto the next step, The written proficiency examination. If any of your case studies fail, you may re-submit a new case or case(s) for an additional $25.00 fee. Case studies must be submitted within 5-years of enrolling in the certification program.
  • Written, proficiency examination
    Complete the written proficiency examination. The written proficiency examination must be passed with an 80% or higher on both portions of multiple choice on the essay portion. Should you fall below the 80% passing, you may apply for a re-take for an additional $225.00.
  • On site evaluation in front of an IAOM appointed Board of Examiners
    Candidate has two years from the time notified of passing the written proficiency examination to complete the on-site visit with an assigned BOE examiner. Onsite evaluations can be performed either in person ($350.00 + travel expense of examiner to you) or through Secure Video Platform/Remote ($600.00 and IAOM provides the platform for use).

Completing the IAOM Certification Process

By completing this designated healthcare and myofunctional coursework, healthcare professionals will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in the specialized field of orofacial myofunctional therapy and can then go on to complete the certification process and become a Certified Orofacial Myologist (COM®).

Those that complete the IAOM Certification process will have demonstrated a proficiency set forth by the IAOM. A Certified Orofacial Myologist (COM®) is determined by the IAOM to be proficient in the practice of Orofacial Myology, including the evaluation and treatment of those conditions described above.

In order to maintain your COM®, you must stay current in your IAOM Active Membership dues (annually based on the IAOM membership cycle of March 1 – February 28 th ) and maintain 20 CEUs every two-years starting the year after you earned your COM®. If dues are not paid you will lose your COM® status.

The IAOM does not have the ability or authority to interpret or dictate any healthcare professional’s licensure or scope of practice.

Meet The Board of Examiners

The responsibilities of the Board of Examiners include grading of case studies, proficiency examination, and the evaluation for the on-site evaluation in order to complete the certification process. Board members must be an Active Member within the organization and are committed to holding this position for a three-year term. All Board of Examiners must hold their COM ® (Certified Orofacial. Myologist) for a minimum of five-years with the organization to be considered for eligibility to serve on the Board of Examiners.

Melissa Wilson
M.Ed. CCC-SLP, COM®
Marsha Lee Watson
MS, CCC-SLP,COM®
Paula Fabbie
BS, RDH, COM®
Shari Green
AAS, RDH (Ret.), COM®, BA
Patricia Brinkman-Falter
RDH, MS, COM®
Nancy Wehner
BSDH, PHRDH, RDH, COM®
Kathleen Elder
RDH, ECP II, COM®
Lorna Byrne
BSc, RDH, COM®
Dr. Zhen "Jane" Shi
MDS, COM®