International Collaboration

Global Network Development

The Centre is built upon a robust international collaboration network developed through two complementary pathways, both essential to its success: educational expansion and strategic institutional partnership.

The educational pathway provides the structural foundation, creating accredited training centres, simulation labs, cadaveric platforms, and tiered curriculum systems across multiple regions. These centres ensure consistent, high-quality teaching, replication, and dissemination of the Centre's surgical techniques, digital workflows, and competency standards worldwide.

The strategic pathway drives academic and technological advancement. Through collaboration with leading professional associations, research institutions, and medical-device innovators, it facilitates multicentre studies, guideline development, breakthroughs in digital surgery, and the global adoption of patented solutions for temporomandibular joint endoscopy and reconstruction.

Together, these pathways form a synergistic ecosystem that integrates educational infrastructure with technological leadership, connecting China, Europe, Asia, and North America, and positioning the Centre as a global force in TMJ surgical training, clinical excellence, and evidence-based innovation.

Educational Partners

China

Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (Shanghai)

One of China's most prestigious centres for oral and maxillofacial medicine, internationally recognised for craniofacial surgery, temporomandibular joint disorders, orthognathic surgery, dental implants, and advanced oral medicine. As the primary clinical centre for the Centre's programme, it performs one of the world's highest volumes of TMJ surgeries, including over 10,000 endoscopic disc repositioning procedures, offering unparalleled opportunities for immersive clinical learning, advanced surgical observation, and innovation.

• Central location for small-group rotations and advanced surgical observation
• Headquarters of the National Temporomandibular Joint Clinical Alliance (154 hospitals)
• Birthplace of the patented endoscopic system, the distinctive suturing techniques, and customised TMJ prosthesis development
• Core hub for international scholars, global training, and multicentre research coordination

[ Link to Ninth People's Hospital ]

Yang Simulation Training Centre (Shanghai)

Affiliated with Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, this 500-square-metre facility is dedicated to TMJ surgical education through blended simulation and structured preclinical skills training, serving as a core platform for capacity development within the programme.

• Hybrid endoscopic simulation platform for practising the patented endoscopic disc repositioning technique
• Preclinical suturing workstations for mastering the distinctive TMJ suturing techniques
• Model-based hands-on training for endoscopic navigation, disc manipulation, and reconstruction
• Digital surgery integration with VSP workstations for preoperative planning and occlusal simulation
• Structured competency assessment before advancing to live surgery or cadaveric training

[ Link to the Yang Simulation Training Centre ]

Asia (Strategic development in progress)

Demand for advanced TMJ treatment is rapidly growing in the ASEAN region, yet access to specialised surgical training remains limited. A regional TMJ training centre will enable clinicians to learn minimally invasive endoscopic techniques, evidence-based diagnostics, and digital surgical workflows locally — reducing educational barriers, strengthening regional surgical capacity, and improving access to high-quality TMJ treatment across Southeast Asia.

Mahidol University, Faculty of Dentistry (Bangkok, Thailand)

The designated ASEAN regional TMJ training centre, supporting the programme's expansion across Southeast Asia and neighbouring regions. As the regional hub, Mahidol University offers:

• Temporomandibular joint cadaver training
• Blended simulation courses
• An annual Asia–Europe symposium
• Regional faculty development

[ Link to Mahidol University, Faculty of Dentistry ]

Europe (Under strategic development)

To support the standardised application of TMJ surgical techniques across Europe, the Centre has established a coordinated network of leading maxillofacial surgical institutions. Each contributes distinct expertise — clinical training, digital planning, anatomical education, or reconstructive specialisation — together forming a comprehensive European multicentre platform.

Osnabrück Hospital (Osnabrück, Germany)

Specialises in core-module instruction: foundational knowledge in TMJ diagnosis, arthroscopy, and early endoscopic surgery, with a structured environment for introductory hands-on training.

[ Link to Osnabrück Hospital ]

University Medical Center Dresden (UKD), Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Dresden, Germany)

A key hub for digital surgical workflows, excelling in TMJ-orthognathic integration, virtual surgical planning (VSP), and multidisciplinary case coordination, with particular standing in facial-symmetry correction.

[ Link to UKD Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery ]

University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) (Hamburg, Germany)

Provides high-level clinical expertise in complex TMJ reconstruction, including open joint surgery, ankylosis management, and customised total joint replacement (TJR), supporting training in highly complex cases and reconstructive decision-making.

[ Link to UKE ]

International Medical Academy — Yang Simulation Training Centre (Münster, Germany)

The European counterpart to the Shanghai simulation centre, providing a parallel platform for preclinical TMJ surgical training:

• VR-based endoscopic simulation for instrument navigation, triangulation, and procedural sequencing under the standardised methodology
• Suturing practice on anatomical models, focusing on the patented suturing techniques for endoscopic disc reduction
• Structured preclinical skill development before advancing to cadaveric or clinical modules

[ Link to the International Medical Academy ]

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Lille (Lille, France)

Contributes through scientific collaboration, guideline development, and TMD research:

• Basic scientific research on TMJ pathophysiology, biomechanics, and disc biology
• Clinical research on TMD diagnosis, imaging, and treatment efficacy
• European development of TMJ guidelines, consensus statements, and clinical pathways
• Multicentre collaborations with ITMJA and the GSF to establish evidence-based standards

[ Link to the University of Lille, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery ]

University of Szeged Clinic (Szeged, Hungary)

Extensive expertise in craniofacial anomalies and orthognathic surgery, with a focus on TMJ-related deformities and reconstruction; its digital integration and interdisciplinary approach make it ideal for advanced case planning and comprehensive surgical training.

[ Link to the University of Szeged Clinic ]

Semmelweis University, Department of Forensic Medicine (Budapest, Hungary)

The designated anatomical training centre for the European TMJ course, providing high-quality cadaveric facilities for:

• Endoscopic disc repositioning practice
• Arthroscopic instrument navigation
• Open temporomandibular joint surgical techniques
• Reconstructive technique training

[ Link to Semmelweis University ]

Medical University of Innsbruck (Innsbruck, Austria)

A major European centre offering cadaver dissection training and specialised training in TMJ functional rehabilitation:

• High-quality cadaver laboratories for endoscopic, arthroscopic, and open surgical practice
• Programmes focused on functional rehabilitation, including postoperative physiotherapy frameworks and TMJ biomechanics
• Facilities integrating anatomical study with principles of functional restoration

[ Link to the Medical University of Innsbruck ]

North America (In progress)

Crescent Community Hospital (United States)

Active discussions are underway regarding collaboration in TMJ research and future training exchanges. ITMJA's long-term plans include expanding academic collaboration in the United States and Canada.

Strategic Partners — Collaborative Impact and Global Vision

Through standardised certification and credentialing provided by the German Surgical Foundation, together with the participation of strategic partners across China, Europe, Asia, and North America, the Centre is positioned as a leading international platform for innovation, education, and scientific advancement in temporomandibular joint surgery. Evidence-based methods, digital protocols, and clinical standards are shared globally through a connected network offering standardised training, joint research, and coordinated regional centres of excellence.

China

• Chinese Stomatological Association
• Chinese Society of Temporomandibular Joint Surgery
• Gaofeng Medical Devices (Wuxi) Co., Ltd.
• Shanghai Regis Medical Devices Co., Ltd.
• Global Education Centre

Asia

• Asian Association of Temporomandibular Joint Surgeons

Europe

• German Surgical Foundation
• European Association of Temporomandibular Joint Surgeons
• International Medical Academy
• Aesculap Company and Academy

North America

• American Academy of Temporomandibular Joint Surgeons

South America · Oceania · Middle East

Partnerships in development.