INTRODUCTION
A fascination for pathologic processes was an integral part of modern dentistry at its inception, as was a strong and apparently new belief that information should be openly and widely shared. Approximately half of all "scientific" articles in the first volume of the earliest published dental journal were related to pathologic conditions of the mouth and jaw. Oral pathology is the specialty of dentistry and pathology which deals with the nature, identification, diagnosis and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial region. It is a science that investigates the causes, processes and effects of these diseases. The practice of oral pathology includes diagnosis of diseases using clinical, radiographic, microscopic, biochemical or other examinations and management of patients and research.
MISSION AND VISION:
Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology & Oral Microbiology is a specialty of dentistry and a discipline of pathology that deals with the nature, identification and management of diseases affecting the Oral and Maxillofacial region.
The subject represents the confluence of basic sciences and clinical dentistry. Since basic sciences forms the basis of all clinical sciences, an accurate update of basic Physiology and its Pathology becomes part and parcel of good dental education.
Dental Anatomy and Oral Histology subject is where the students develop carving skills of different teeth and study the different oral tissues respectively, which is taught to first year BDS students & Oral Pathology subject is where the second and third BDS students are taught the pathology dealing with Oral diseases, Oral pre-cancer and cancer, Odontogenic & Non-odontogenic Cysts and Tumors occurring in the Oral and Maxillofacial region and Forensic Odontology.
It is here that knowledge of various structures-both at gross and cellular level –in health and disease are imparted through Lectures, Demonstrations, Seminars &Practicals.
The histopathology laboratory is equipped with a set up for basic investigative pathology—Aspiration biopsies, Exfoliative cytology, Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAC), Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB), Incisional &Excisional(including Radical neck dissection) biopsies, Special staining etc.
Besides being a teaching department, we also engage in research with the current focus being in the areas of oral cancer, pre-cancer, HIV screening and the oral status related to systemic conditions.
Oral Pathologist attempts to understand the disease so that it can be properly diagnosed and adequately treated. The diagnosis submitted by us aids the surgeons to have insight into disease process, give adequate treatment thereby improving the prognosis.