The Department of Diagnostic Sciences provides the critical link between the basic sciences and clinical dentistry at the School of Dental Medicine. Our research and clinical faculty are an integral part of the tri-fold mission of the school -- teaching, research, and patient care.

There are three elements to the department, which include:

• The Emergency Dental Care Clinic addresses problems of the teeth and jaw that require immediate attention.
  
  
• Oral Medicine and Pathology includes dental specialists who focus on diseases of the face, mouth, and jaw; and whose training prepares them for a wide range of procedures, including surgical oral pathology (biopsy), clinical oral diagnosis, radiographic interpretation, research, and teaching.
  
  
• Oral Radiology teaches the radiologic sciences as they apply to dentistry; relying on the knowledge of normal radiographic anatomy and the radiographic aspects of dental pathology.  

The taking of a health history and the head, neck, face, and intraoral exam are instructed by our department as a clinical dentistry orientation. The clinical faculty in our group teach the recognition of oral abnormalities both clinically and radiographically and are available for clinical consultation throughout the School of Dental Medicine. Additionally, the biopsy service provides timely diagnoses to oral health care providers in the tri-state area, as well as telephonic consultations and continuing education through the department newsletter. Outside practitioners frequently consult departmental faculty regarding the diagnosis and management of difficult cases.

First professional, graduate, and dental hygiene students are all instructed by our department in numerous semesters of their education.

Chair
Dr. L. G. Schneider
University of Pittsburgh
School of Dental Medicine
3501 Terrace Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Phone: (412) 648-8652
Email: lgs1@dental.pitt.edu