Department Overview

Oral Medicine and Radiology is a specialized & combined unique branch in dentistry that deals with clinical and radiological aspects of the diseases related to orofacial structures.

Oral medicine is the speciality concerned with dental and medical related disorders of the oral and the facial region, including orofacial manifestations of systemic diseases. The latter include gastrointestinal, dermatological, rheumatological and haematological diseases, autoimmune and immunodeficiency disorders and the manifestations of neurological or psychiatric disease.

Oral Medicine is involved in patient care, teaching and research involving diagnosis and nonsurgical management of diseases of the orofacial complex and systemic and behavioural disorders that impact oral health, including:

• Orofacial pain
• Mucosal diseases
• Salivary gland disorders
• Temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
• Potentially Malignant disorders
• Oral cancer and complications of cancer therapy
• Management of Medical emergencies
• Neurosensory and motor disorders
• Dental care for patients with disabilities

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of radiology concerned with production and interpretation of images and data produced by all modalities of radiant energy that are used for the diagnosis and management of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral and maxillofacial region.

Oral Radiology includes Intraoral radiography (IOPA radiographs, Bitewing & Occlusal Radiographs), Extra oral radiography (OPG & other skull views) & specialized imaging techniques such as sialography, Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT).

When compared to general radiology, oral radiology deals more specifically with dental and maxillofacial structures. Owing to the complex nature of skull bones and dental structure when compared to any other part of the body, imaging in this specific area becomes more challenging.

Students are taught how to examine the oral cavity, recognize the range of normal appearances, and distinguish what is abnormal by studying the features of various oral diseases.

Graduates trained in this discipline manage oral mucosal diseases, salivary gland disorders, and facial pain syndromes and also provide dental care for patients with complicating medical disease. These areas are of increasing importance in the general practice of dentistry as the population presents with a significant increase in bone diseases including oral cancer, and individuals with systemic diseases complicating delivery of dental, oral and maxillofacial therapy and also deals with special needs of geriatric patients.

The Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology has a significant diversity in curricular responsibility which is reflected in our program. Students learn through lectures, seminars, videos and clinical practice. Lectures are supplemented with laboratory sessions and demonstrations.

In the Oral Medicine aspect, students learn about a range of lesions of the oral mucosa and jawbones, including oral manifestations of systemic diseases. They also learn how to take an appropriate history, determine initial diagnoses, and formulate dental treatment for medically compromised patients. Students are exposed to the general approaches to treat oral diseases and the pros and cons of different treatment. Oral Cancer screening, Tobacco cessation initiatives and management of diseases using intralesional steroids are some of the areas this specialty trains students.

The department of Oral Medicine and Radiology is well-equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including Radiovisiography (RVG), Dental X-ray units, Digital Panoramic imaging machine, and a clinical laboratory incorporated for various investigations.

The Anil Neerukonda Hospital provides the advanced imaging methods for the students such as CT, MRI and Ultrasonography, and we are looking forward to install a Cone beam computed tomography machine- the latest in maxillofacial radiology.

Our goal is to ensure that graduating dentists are knowledgeable, observant and equipped to participate and excel in the diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases.

The department offers training in Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses apart from being actively involved in various scientific research activities.