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Selected Journals

• Head and Neck Pathology Also available in Browzine.
• International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology
• Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Also available in Browzine.
• Journal of Oral Microbiology Also available in Browzine.
• Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine Also available via Browzine.
• Korean Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
• Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology Journal
• Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology Also available via Browzine.

Titles are available electronically unless otherwise noted.

• Handbook of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine by S. R. Prabhu ISBN: 9781119781172 Publication Date: 2021 Handbook of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine Discover a concise overview of the most common oral diseases in a reader-friendly book Handbook of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine delivers a succinct overview of a range of oral diseases. The book contains up-to-date evidence-based information organized by clinical topic and supported by over 300 clinical, radiological, and microscopic images. Each chapter includes topics following universally respected curricula of oral pathology and oral medicine. Divided into seven parts, it covers core topics such as pathology of teeth, pulp, and supporting structures, pathology of jawbones, pathology of the oral mucosa, pathology of the salivary glands, clinical presentation of mucosal disease, orofacial pain, and miscellaneous topics of clinical relevance. Written for undergraduate dental students, dental hygienists and oral health therapists, Handbook of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine is an ideal quick reference and is also useful to dental educators and practitioners.

• Color atlas of common oral diseases by Robert P. Langlais, Craig S. Miller. Call Number: WU 17 L282c 2003 ISBN: 0781733855 Mouth Diseases -- pathology -- Atlases. Tooth Diseases -- pathology -- Atlases.

• Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology by Robert E. Marx; Diane Stern Call Number: WU 140 M392o 2012 ISBN: 9780867155129 Publication Date: 2012-02-01 Also available in print.

• Salivary Gland Pathology by Eric R. Carlson (Editor); Robert A. Ord (Editor) ISBN: 9781119730248 Publication Date: 2021
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Delineating the scope of oral pathology and microbiology: Present scenario and future prospects

Bhuvan nagpal.

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Oral pathology (oral and maxillofacial pathology/head and neck pathology) is a specialized field of pathology dealing with the diseases of oral cavity and its associated structures (i.e., teeth, tongue; bony tissue [maxilla and mandible]; joint [temporomandibular joint]; lymph nodes; nerves; structures in neck and blood vessels of the ear, nose and throat [pharynx and larynx]). The qualified doctors of this domain are called oral and maxillofacial pathologists.

As per the Medical Council of India (MCI), dentistry is one of the recognized branches of modern scientific medicine and taught during Phase III of MBBS curriculum as a part of surgery.[ 1 ] As per the Dental Council of India (DCI), oral pathology and microbiology is one of the recognized branches under dentistry.[ 2 ] Therefore, oral pathology is not only a branch of dentistry but also of pathology and, in turn, related to medicine. Like other branches of pathology including neuropathology, nephropathology, hematopathology, pediatric pathology, dermatopathology and oncopathology, oral pathology is also a recognized branch of pathology, and this fact has already been acknowledged by the Royal College of Pathologists, United Kingdom.[ 3 ]

The branch of oral pathology started in India way back in the 1950s, with postgraduation in the 1960s. The present situation of oral pathology as a subject is going through a major crisis. The major reasons for crisis include lack of sufficient number of academic jobs in the dental colleges; the remuneration for the present academic jobs is very meager; lack of research opportunities in Indian dental colleges and employment of general pathologists for diagnosing oral and maxillofacial lesions in most hospitals and diagnostic pathology laboratories, which restricts the scope of practice of oral pathologist. Today, the oral pathologists have also outnumbered the potential job openings.[ 4 ] Considering the mentioned facts, there is a need to discuss the future prospects in oral pathology and it should be given due consideration before it is too late.

As per the author's right to information to the DCI in 2018, there are 559 MDS seats in the department of oral pathology and microbiology in 174 dental colleges, respectively, across India. However, the sad part is, according to the present number of seats in oral pathology, the vacancies for job openings are not available to oral pathologists. Furthermore, very less number of candidates want to do MDS in the subject of oral pathology by choice because there is a lack of job opportunities, which, in turn, becomes a major reason for less interest in the subject these days. The major reasons for doing MDS for any BDS graduate is to hone up their skills and become a specialist, to have a good job or practice and earn money to lead a decent life. However, oral pathology as a subject is unable to give the expected outcomes in the present scenario. The reasons for the same are mind-set of majority of oral pathologists who have created cocoon around their domain and never tried to understand their potential strengths as oral pathologists. Now, it is high time to find out the solutions to the problems related to the field of oral pathology. The possible solutions include broadening the scope of oral pathology and making it more comprehensive and practical. The interest of undergraduate (BDS) students toward oral pathology should be enhanced during the initial years of BDS. Furthermore, the awareness about oral pathology among professional medical colleagues and general public should be created.

All oral pathologists need to understand their potential strengths. Of all the dental specialties, oral pathology is the foundation subject on which the science of dentistry stands, and this branch is unique in many aspects. It is the only branch of dentistry representing the confluence of basic sciences and clinical dentistry, covering the subjects of hematology, biochemistry, immunology, serology, microbiology, oncology, histopathology and cytopathology. It is a well-known fact that the prevalence of oral cancer along with other head and neck pathologies is very high in India. Oral cancer is the third most common cancer and accounts for 30% of all malignancies in India. Furthermore, 7.8% of the global cancer burden is contributed by India.[ 5 ] According to the experience of the author, head and neck pathologies constitute 30%–40% of all the cases arising for cytopathology and histopathology in any diagnostic laboratory on routine basis in various forms. However, the irony is, despite our country has a significant burden of oral cancer with many regional cancer centers, none of the cancer centers has employed doctors with MDS (oral pathology) qualification for the diagnosis of oral cancer. Above all, very few cancer hospitals/centers consider MDS (oral pathology) as a requisite qualification eligible for head and neck pathology or oncology fellowship courses.

The major retarding forces behind the growth of oral pathology subject are mind-set of majority of oral pathologists having inferiority complex as compared to other branches of dentistry and competition with general pathologists who also report cytopathology and histopathology cases pertaining to oral and maxillofacial region along with other routine investigations such as hematology, biochemistry, serology, clinical pathology and microbiology. The lack of understanding of the DCI MDS oral pathology curriculum and its application are also contributing factors. Further, there are no clear guidelines regarding authorized signatory for oral pathologists at present by any regulatory government authority.

The DCI MDS oral pathology curriculum should be amended. ENT pathology (neck lymph node dissections; ear, sinonasal tract, nasopharynx, pharynx, larynx, facial, neck skin) and thyroid gland histopathology should be made part of MDS oral pathology curriculum. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) from lymph nodes and salivary glands along with soft-tissue swellings pertaining to oral, head and neck region should be started in the department of oral pathology of dental colleges. All the dental colleges with department of oral pathology should have mandatory attachment with medical colleges. Further, more practical exposure to other diagnostic modalities such as routine hematology, serology, biochemistry, microbiology and advanced molecular techniques should be incorporated in the department of oral pathology. The histopathology slides reporting quota should be defined and should strictly be followed by the DCI and academicians along with defined criteria for competency of postgraduate students. Various fellowship courses/postdoctoral certificate courses in head and neck oncopathology, laboratory medicine and molecular pathology can be started by the Indian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologists, which can further form a board by the name of the Indian Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology for granting fellowships. National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accreditation of oral pathology laboratories in dental colleges and private practice can be done. Quality management programs for NABL accreditation can be done by budding oral pathologists, which, in turn, will help them by acquiring the post of quality manager in diagnostic pathology laboratories. Awareness among general public and professional medical colleagues can be done through means of government bodies by including MDS (oral pathology) as one of the qualifications for eligibility in cancer centers and diagnostic laboratories.

Oral pathologists can be employed as a consultant, laboratory administrator and quality manager in diagnostic laboratories; onco-histopathologist in cancer hospitals and oral cancer centers; consultant in dermatology clinics and editor/project in-charge in journal or book publishing industry. The research laboratories can be made mandatory in dental colleges, which will further increase avenues for oral pathologists as oral pathology is one of those unique specialties where research is an integral part of oral pathology. Oral pathologists should be allowed to teach general pathology and general microbiology classes in academics which will further increase job opportunities. Dental/oral anatomy and histology and forensic odontology can also be made as separate departments to increase vacancies. Further, oral pathologists can set up and run their own pathology laboratories/diagnostic centers and practice oral pathology and routine general pathology. To mention, there is mushrooming of pathology laboratories which are run by unauthorized qualified or unqualified lab technicians at majority of places in India which depicts tremendous lack of qualified and authorized workforce in the field of pathology across the nation. Oral pathologists can practice their specialty as per the DCI MDS curriculum and DCI code of ethics. Recently, NABL has considered MDS (oral pathology) as authorized signatory for cytopathology and histopathology cases pertaining to oral and maxillofacial region and hematology cases prescribed by only dental professionals.

Finally, competency is someone's subjective dedication and ability, not based on qualifications only. It is rightly said “survival of the fittest,” so the competent people will survive. Therefore, by becoming competent in the subject, making necessary changes in oral pathology curriculum, and incorporating proposed solutions, the grace of the oral pathology can be maintained as well as groomed.

Oral pathology as a superspecialty seldom makes a cut as a preferred choice of postgraduation and career due to several challenges being faced in the present scenario. The present article discussed the different viable options for the solution of challenges. These include incorporation of appropriate amendments in the DCI MDS oral pathology course curriculum, giving more practical exposure to diagnostic modalities, creating job vacancies, initiation of quality management programs, setup of oral pathology laboratories and development of practical skills to acquire competency in the subject. The fast increasing rates of oral cancer and manifestations of other systemic diseases to oral and maxillofacial region require and will be definitely benefitted by the nurturing of the field of oral pathology.

Financial support and sponsorship

Conflicts of interest.

There are no conflicts of interest.

• 1. Medical Council of India; Minimum Qualification for Teachers in Medical Institutions Regulations, 1998. Part III. Sec. 4. The Gazette of India: Extraordinary. 1998 Dec 5; [ Google Scholar ]
• 2. Dental Council of India Revised MDS Course Regulations, 2007. Part III. Sec. 4. The Gazette of India; Extraordinary. 2007:6. [ Google Scholar ]
• 3. [Last accessed on 2019 Feb 28]. Available from: https://www.rcpath.org/specialist-area .
• 4. Govindarajan S, Muruganandhan J, Raj AT. Oral pathology in India: Current scenario and future directions. World J Dent. 2017;8:429. [ Google Scholar ]
• 5. Prasad LK. Burden of oral cancer: An Indian scenario. J Orofac Sci. 2014;6:77. [ Google Scholar ]
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Comprehensive Overview of Oral Pathology

This course will provide attendees with a comprehensive review of oral pathology. Common entities will be discussed; a particular focus will be made on oral squamous cell carcinoma and prevention of this malignancy.

Registrations Ended

Subject Code:

730 - Oral Pathology

Nov 17th, 2023 10:00AM-04:30PM Eastern Time Add to Calendar

Includes Exit Exam

Presented by ashley n. clark d.d.s., f.a.c.d., this webinar's registrations are closed, course description.

Oral Diagnosis , Oral Pathology

Course Objectives

At the completion of this course the participants should be able to:

• Identify potentially malignant disorders
• Determine how to discuss oral findings with patients
• Discuss common lesions affecting the oral cavity
• Discuss how to manage patients with potentially malignant disorders and common oral pathology

Concord Dental & Medical Seminars Is Designated by AGD and ADA

Concord Dental & Medical Seminars is designated as a Nationally Approved PACE Program Provider by the Academy of General Dentistry. The formal continuing education programs of this program provider are accepted by the AGD for Fellowship/Mastership and membership maintenance credit.

Concord Dental & Medical Seminars is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Associates to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.

What people are saying

Best Oral Path Presentation This was the best oral path presentation I've attended in my many years - well organized and fun. Dentists would do well to attend this course to advance their disease detection and treatment skills

Helped clarify Very informative, loved all the pictures, definitely helped clarify things.

Best oral path review! Best oral path review I’ve had in 30 years!

Wealth of info & advise Well organized wealth of info with advice for guidelines of treatment

Informative & Easy to Listen to Dr. Clark was easy to listen to and informative. Straight to the point

Easy going Speaker Dr. Clark was very easy going and explained everything really well,

Held my Attention! Dr. Ashley Clark was great! She held my attention the entire seminar.

Explanations I can use in daily practice I liked the photo examples, explanations that I can apply to daily practice

Amazing Slides The slides are amazing ! Knowledge explanations are very interesting. Dr. Clark is fabulous!

Extremely knowledgeable Dr. Clark is extremely knowledgeable and provided information in an interesting manner.

Helpful answering questions Dr. Clark was very helpful in answering questions

Brilliant Speaker! Brilliant speaker, great information

Easy to Follow & Understand Oral Lesions! Great descriptions of oral lesions! Easy to follow and understand! Easy to see differences as she explained!

Great Oral Lesions Refresher! Great refresher about oral lesions, very important

Very Knowledgable! Dr. Clark is very knowledgable. Can tell she knows what she is talking about and not just reading facts to you.

Overflowing with Knowledge! Fantastic speaker. Very informative. Overflowing with knowledge and very well presented. Your passion for the subject is obvious as is your expertise.

Related Info to Clinical Presentation I enjoyed how the presenter related the information to the actual clinical presentation and gave tips on how to remember things

Great Review of Pediatric Oral Path! A great review of pediatric oral path. Will share with my colleagues for review! Speaker was amazing. Loved the photos and radiographs of the pathologies.

Phenomenal Lecturer! Dr. Clark is a phenomenal lecturer and I liked that the way it was organized.

Real Life Cases I liked that Dr. Clark gave real life cases of lesions.

Excellent Presentation The presentation of the material was excellent.

Wealth of Info I liked the wealth of information provided.

Dr. Clark is the best! Dr. Clark is the best at straightforward pathology!

Liked Enthusiasm I liked Dr. Clark's enthusiasm for the subject.

Engaging "The instructor was engaging and interesting."

Organized "Very organized and informative."

Well Paced "Well paced presentation."

Easy To Understand "The differences between the oral pathologies was presented and supported by the photos in an easy to understand way. Especially for a general dentistry practice that may not see all these pathologies."

Great Educator "Ashley is a great presenter/educator."

Informative "Loved the course today! Not only informative but Dr.Clark was enjoyable to listen to."

Best CE Course "This was the best CE course that I attended in years."

Excellent "You are excellent! Keep doing what you're doing!"

Loved the Course "Loved the course and the speaker!"

Excellent Presentation! "Excellent presentation- Thank you Dr. Clark!"

Awesome! "Dr. Clark is awesome! Been to many path courses over the years. New Style + emphasis on this beyond the routine! STAYED interesting!"

Solid "Solid, informative, and interesting history of seminars with Concord. Met professional capabilities."

Engaging Speaker! "Dr. Clark is such an engaging speaker! Pathology is a topic that can be very dry, but her presentation style is interesting, funny & she presents the material in a way that is super high yield!"

Keep Coming Back! "Loved this seminar! Please keep coming back to Asheville!

Very Pleased "Very pleased with presentation. Dr. Clark was very open to questions."

Appreciative "I am very appreciative of Concord Seminars for bringing these classes to Asheville. Please continue."

Phenomenal "Dr.Clark was phenomenal and informative. She kept the lecture relevant and interesting."

Fantastic Presentation "Fantastic presentation! Lots of great info and pictures."

Very happy Concord is covering this subject! "Objective practical info on this ongoing crisis! Very happy Concord is covering this subject!"

Excellent at answering questions in real time! "I liked Dr. Clark's stories. Made the material more personal and involved. Excellent at answering questions in real time!"

Slides Were Great "The slides were great and I learned about oral manifestations associated with recreational drug use that I was unaware of."

Detailed "I liked the "history of" sections and personally am glad you left them in. I liked literally everything in this webinar! So detailed and delivered in a non boring way."

Loved It "Wonderful presentation. So personable and informative. Loved it."

Great Deal of Information "Dr. Clark is a great speaker. This is my second course I've taken with her within the past month, and both times I have taken away a great deal of information to use and apply at my office."

Great Examples "The information was followed by great example via pictures."

Excellent Slides "The Doctor was easy to understand and kept the presentation moving quickly. There were excellent slides both written and photos."

Extremely Knowledgable "Dr. Clark is extremely knowledgable and helps simplify detecting and diagnosing these sometimes confusing oral lesions"

Comfortable Venue "Great course, comfortable venue, great food/snacks."

Kept you Engaged "Dr.Clark was a fantastic speaker. Kept you engaged-down to earth-easy to listen to."

A+ Speaker "A+ speaker! Good energy, very engaging."

Entertaining! "Ashley did a wonderful job. Very informative and entertaining!"

Most Interesting "Most likely the most interesting speaker I have seen"

Knowledge Was Refreshing The speaker was excellent, Dr. Clark's knowledge on the subject was refreshing.

Easy to Listen to Dr. Clark was wonderful. Very easy to listen to, personable, made the lecture very enjoyable and entertaining. Highly intelligent!

Excellent Job The most I have ever learned at a CE course. Excellent job, Dr. Clark!

Best Pathology Class This was the best pathology course I've ever taken. I wouldn't change anything!