About Dr. Kruman
Hi there! I’m Ben—a board-certified Orofacial Pain specialist based in Walnut Creek and serving patients throughout the East Bay, San Francisco, Sacramento, Napa Valley, and the greater Bay Area. I’m passionate about finding holistic solutions to chronic pain so patients find real, lasting relief.
If you're reading this, there's a good chance you've been dealing with pain for far too long. Maybe you've seen multiple providers, tried treatments that didn't work, or felt like no one really understood what you're going through. I want you to know: I see you, I hear you, and I'm here to help.
Every patient I treat brings a unique pain story. My job is to listen carefully, investigate thoroughly, and work with you to create a treatment plan that actually addresses what's causing your pain—not just mask the symptoms. You deserve answers, you deserve relief, and you deserve a provider who takes the time to get it right.
Born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, I earned my BA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and my Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, where I served as a board member on our school’s chapter of the American Student Dental Association.
While in dental school, I became interested in Orofacial Pain, a specialty that bridges the divide between medicine and dentistry and connects one’s oral health with one’s overall health. Upon graduation, I was admitted to the highly selective University of California, Los Angeles Orofacial Pain & Dental Sleep Medicine residency program, where I served as Chief Resident in my second year.
I’m an active member of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, the Contra Costa County Dental Society, the American Headache Society, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain.
I currently live in the East Bay with my wife and our puppy, Waffles. In my spare time, I love running, yoga, reading, tennis, and cheering on my Michigan teams. Go Blue!
Why I Specialize in Orofacial Pain
During my training, I saw how many patients with chronic facial pain, jaw disorders, and persistent headaches fell through the cracks of our healthcare system. They'd see dentists who focused only on teeth. They'd see doctors who didn't understand the jaw's role in pain. They'd get conflicting advice, ineffective treatments, and worst of all—the feeling that no one was really listening or taking their pain seriously.
I chose to specialize in orofacial pain because these patients deserved better. My UCLA training gave me a comprehensive understanding of how the joints, muscles, nerves, bite, sleep, and stress all connect. But more importantly, it taught me to approach each patient as an individual with a unique pain story, not just a set of symptoms.
My approach is simple: I listen first. I take time to understand your complete medical history, lifestyle factors, and treatment goals. Then together, we create a personalized treatment plan that addresses the root cause of your pain—not just the symptoms. You deserve more than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Too many of my patients have told me they felt dismissed or rushed by other providers. I'm here to tell you: your pain is real, it matters, and together we can find a path forward.
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B.A., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2012)
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Post-Bac, Wayne State University
D.D.S., University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry (2022) -
Orofacial Pain, UCLA School of Dentistry (2024)
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Diplomate, American Board of Orofacial Pain
Licensed dentist in the state of California
Ready to Start Your Journey Toward Pain Relief?
I’d love to work with you. Click below or give me a call to get started.