Q: What is an oral pathologist?
A: Oral pathology is one field of dental specialization. An oral pathologist, sometimes called an oral maxillofacial pathologist, specializes in the diagnosis of dental and facial cavity diseases. For instance, if your dentist encounters suspicious tissue in your mouth during an examination, the dentist may remove a portion of the tissue-a biopsy-and send it to an oral pathologist for study. The pathologist will determine whether the tissue is, for example, cancerous or infectious.
The oral pathologist, like other specialists, completes the educational requirements to earn a DDS degree. The pathologist continues with a three-year hospital internship. 'While some oral pathologists have private practices, many work in hospitals, universities, laboratories and other research facilities. Each area of specialty is overseen by its own board. Each area requires from two to four years of post-graduate training. Your dentist can tell you more about the areas of specialty and whether you are a candidate for a consultation with one of them.
|
Top
