Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, is a clinical branch of dentistry that deals with diagnosis of diseases affecting oral and its supporting structures. The specialty has two branches;
- Oral medicine- deals with clinical diagnosis of diseases involving mouth as well as the head and neck region. This may include developmental disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, metabolic disorders, and neurological disorders affecting the structure and function of oral cavity. It also includes management of oral diseases using non-operative procedures; mostly drugs, often requiring a multidisciplinary approach. Oral medicine thus aims at management of oral disease, interdisciplinary care of patients and dental management of medically compromised patients.
- Radiology involves the study of science of radiations, especially X-rays and application of different techniques of image acquisition necessary for diagnosis of oro-facial disorders. The clinical scope of oral medicine is vast, that includes but not limited to training of pupil for; - Learning and applying the skill for diagnosis of oro-facial diseases and disorders. - Early detection of oral pre cancerous lesions and cancer, thus providing an opportunity for cure and longevity of life. Also counseling patients regarding lifestyle habits, tobacco and other addictive habits. - Managing facial pain including neuralgias, atypical facial pain, atypical odontalgia, burning mouth syndrome, Temporomandibular joint diseases - Diagnosis and local management of: Infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, skin diseases and Salivary gland diseases.
Training in Radiology of the maxillofacial region includes; learning and applying the principles of image acquisition, interpretation of diagnostic images and radiation safety. Thorough training in radiographic techniques such as panoramic radiography, skull radiography, cephalometric analysis, occlusal radiography, intraoral radiography, sialography, basics of advanced imaging techniques like CT, MRI and Ultrasound. The scope also extends into the field of forensic sciences and radiation oncology.
The department is well equipped with one Digital panoramic and cephalometric X-ray unit, two Digitally compatible panoramic and cephalometric x- ray machine, one100 mA portable x-ray machine with grid, four Dental x-ray machines, two intra-oral Digital image facility (RVG) and facility for contrast radiographic procedures such as sialography. Also available are the facilities for clinical diagnosis of oral cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions, treatment of temperomandibular joint disorders and management of dental emergencies as well as dental management of medically compromised patients.
