FAQ
Can you treat patients in the clinic as well as practice oral pathology?
The practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (OMP) entails both clinical and laboratory components. Many oral pathologists regularly treat patients in a clinical setting for a variety of diseases of the maxillofacial complex, in addition to the examination of biopsies with a microscope.
What are the responsibilities of an oral pathologist?
The responsibilities of an oral and maxillofacial pathologist are to diagnose and manage diseases that affect the face, mouth, and jaws.
What is an average salary of a oral pathologist?
The salary of an oral pathologist is dependent on several variables, such as experience, the geographic region in which he/she in practicing, and the quantity of procedures that he/she is billing.
What are the differences between an oral pathologist and a systemic pathologist?
A general surgical pathologist is an individual who has graduated from medical school and completed a residency in surgical pathology, often later enrolling in a postgraduate fellowship to gain further expertise in a specific field of pathology. An oral pathologist is a graduate of a dental school who has completed a residency specifically in oral and maxillofacial pathology.
Is it recommended that an applicant complete a GPR/AEGD before applying to an oral and maxillofacial pathology residency program?
It is not recommended, but advanced training in dentistry will enhance the individuals ability to manage and treat patients in an Oral Pathology Clinic.
What are the criteria that you must satisfy to practice oral and maxillofacial pathology?
The criteria to practice within the specialty are: graduation from an accredited U.S. or Canadian dental school, or from a dental school in another country recognized as having an equivalent educational standing, graduation from an accredited Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Residency program.
What are some interesting career options once one has attained his or her oral and maxillofacial pathology certificate?
The certified oral and maxillofacial pathologist can pursue a career in hospitals, academic and military health centers, and private practice. This includes practicing within a biopsy service and/or clinic, teaching, and research.
How many residency programs are there?
There are currently fourteen advanced education programs in the specialty in the United States, and two in Canada.
What is the duration of a residency program in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology?
A residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology requires a minimum of 3 calender years to obtain a certificate. However, some programs provide the opportunity to obtain a master’s or doctoral degree, which may require additional time for completion.
What courses would you take while in a residency program?
The exact courseload will vary slightly among institutions, but residents can expect to take coursework in the basic sciences, including Immunology, Anatomy, Microbiology, and Statistics. Residents will also receive hospital-based training in Clinical, Surgical, and Anatomic Pathology (requiring the participation in at least 20 autopsies), and possibly Radiology. Specific training in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology will be gained through participation in a biopsy service and Oral Pathology clinic. In addition, some research experience is required.
Is oral and maxillofacial pathology a specialty recognized by the ADA?
Yes, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology is a specialty recognized by the American Dental Association.
What are the admissions requirements for a residency program in the specialty?
Individuals eligible for entry into an accredited U.S. specialty program are dentists who have graduated from a:
- U.S.-accredited dental school (Commission on Dental Accreditation)
- Canadian-accredited dental school (Council on Accreditation of the Canadian Dental Association)
- dental school in another country who possesses equivalent educational background and standing.
Are Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology residencies hospital based, or university based?
Some are hospital based, although the majority are based in both hospitals and university settings.
Are the residency programs paid or unpaid?
This is dependent on the specific residency program. Applicants are encouraged to contact the residency program directors for this information.
Can oral pathologists also practice dentistry?
Some oral pathologists continue to practice dentistry in addition to their specialty. This however, varies according to state, and some states limit the practitioner to their specialty only.
At what stage of dental school does one apply to an oral and maxillofacial pathology residency?
Applications to Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology residency programs are generally submitted at the same time as other residency programs; it is best to check with individual programs to ascertain application deadlines.