What is Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology?
The Canadian Dental Associate (CDA) combines Oral medicine and Oral pathology into one specialty and defines it as the branch and specialty of dentistry concerned with the diagnosis, nature and primarily non-surgical management of oral, maxillofacial and temporomandibular diseases and disorders, including dental management of patients with medical complications. Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology are two applied components of this specialty.
The American Dental Association (ADA) however separates Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology into 2 separate specialties.
Oral Medicine:
Oral Medicine is responsible for the oral health care of medically complex patients and for the diagnosis and (primarily) non-surgical management of medically related diseases, disorders, and conditions affecting the oral and maxillofacial region. It bridges dentistry and medicine, often described as the "physician of the mouth." Oral medicine specialists handle a broad range of issues including oral mucosal diseases (e.g., ulcers, autoimmune conditions like lichen planus), salivary gland disorders (e.g., dry mouth), orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders (TMD/TMJ), taste/smell disturbances, and oral manifestations of systemic diseases (e.g., in cancer patients, transplant recipients, or those with autoimmune/hematologic conditions). Treatment typically involves medical management with medications, diagnostic procedures (e.g., biopsies, tests), therapeutic injections, and coordination with other healthcare providers, with limited minor surgical interventions.
Oral Pathology:
Oral Pathology is the dental specialty (officially recognized as **Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology**) that deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. It is a science that investigates the causes, processes, and effects of these diseases. The practice includes research, clinical diagnosis (using examinations, radiographs, and other methods), and microscopic/histopathologic analysis of tissue samples (e.g., biopsies) to accurately identify conditions such as oral cancer, benign lesions, infections, cysts, salivary gland disorders, and other abnormalities of the mouth, jaws, and related structures. Specialists in this field often focus heavily on laboratory-based diagnosis and work closely with surgeons or clinicians for patient management.
In Summary...
In summary, while both specialties overlap in diagnosing oral diseases, Oral Pathology emphasizes the scientific study, microscopic diagnosis, and understanding of disease processes (often lab-oriented), whereas Oral Medicine focuses on clinical patient care, non-surgical treatment, and managing medically compromised individuals (more patient-facing and integrative with general medicine).
For detailed information please visit Canadian Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Oral Medicine (CAOMPOM).