Samantha Bloch, RDH
You've been dismissed. We listen.
If you've been told your jaw pain "isn't that bad," that your headaches are just stress, or that there's nothing else anyone can do — you're not alone. And you're not imagining it.
Too many patients with TMJ disorders and orofacial pain spend years bouncing between providers, running through the same tests, and leaving appointments feeling unheard. The pain is real. The frustration is real. And you deserve a provider who takes the time to actually figure out what's going on.
- My doctor said it's just anxiety.
- I've been to five specialists and no one can tell me what's wrong.
- They said I should just learn to live with it.
Sam has heard all of this before — and she doesn't accept it. As the lead clinician of the TMJ & Orofacial Pain Clinic at Bublik Dental, Sam brings a rare combination of clinical expertise and genuine compassion. She listens. She digs deeper. And she works with you — not around you — to build a path toward relief.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome & Hypermobility
If you or your child has been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) or a Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder, you already know how hard it can be to find providers who understand the full picture. We do.
Why EDS patients have complex jaw problems
Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes are a group of connective tissue disorders that affect collagen throughout the body. When the connective tissue that supports the temporomandibular joint is lax or fragile, the jaw becomes vulnerable to subluxation, chronic pain, disc displacement, and muscle fatigue in ways that most providers simply don't recognize.
Research estimates that TMJ disorders affect roughly 65% of people with EDS — yet many are told their symptoms are unrelated, psychosomatic, or untreatable. The reality is that EDS-related jaw dysfunction requires a provider who understands both the joint mechanics and the underlying connective tissue condition.
Sam works closely with Dr. Bublik to evaluate and treat TMJ dysfunction in hypermobile patients using an approach that accounts for tissue fragility, joint instability, and the overlapping conditions — like POTS and mast cell activation — that often travel with EDS.
We stay connected with the EDS community through resources like The Ehlers-Danlos Society and the Bendy Bodies podcast with Dr. Linda Bluestein, because understanding these patients means staying current with the science and listening to the community itself.
What Myofunctional Therapy & TMJ Care Look Like
Sam's work sits at the intersection of TMJ treatment, airway health, and muscle retraining. She works alongside Dr. Bublik to deliver care that addresses the root causes of jaw dysfunction — not just the symptoms.
Myofunctional Therapy
Orofacial myofunctional therapy retrains the muscles of the mouth, tongue, and face to function and rest in their proper positions. This corrects dysfunctional breathing, swallowing, and tongue posture patterns that contribute to TMJ strain and airway problems.
TMJ Assessment & Treatment
Thorough clinical evaluation of jaw range of motion, muscle tenderness, joint sounds, and bite alignment. Sam identifies the mechanical and muscular drivers of your pain and builds a targeted treatment plan.
Dental Sleep Medicine
TMJ disorders and sleep-disordered breathing often coexist. Sam collaborates with Dr. Bublik on dental sleep medicine cases, evaluating airway and orofacial function as part of comprehensive treatment for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
Collaborative Care
Complex orofacial pain rarely has a single cause. Sam coordinates with Dr. Bublik and, when needed, with your physicians, physical therapists, and other specialists to make sure every piece of the puzzle is addressed.
Training & Background
Sam combines her foundation in dental hygiene with advanced training in myofunctional therapy and orofacial pain — a skillset that few clinicians in central Wisconsin offer.
Registered Dental Hygienist
RDH — Licensed in Wisconsin
Myofunctional Oral Therapist
Specialized training in orofacial myology
TMJ & Orofacial Pain
Leads the TMJ clinic at Bublik Dental
Ready to Be Heard?
If you've been searching for someone who takes your jaw pain seriously, you've found the right place. Schedule a TMJ consultation with Sam and Dr. Bublik — and take the first step toward answers.
Bublik Dental Implant and Surgical Center · 2620 Stewart Ave, Suite 218, Wausau, WI 54401