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Diagnostic Science

Diagnostic Sciences

The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine Department of Diagnostic Sciences educates students to provide oral radiology, oral pathology/oral medicine, and dental emergency services to patients and clinicians. Oral radiology and oral pathology combine basic science and general dentistry to help dentists diagnose oral diseases and develop treatment plans. The department offers oral pathology biopsy services, oral and maxillofacial radiology referrals and consultations, emergency services, and supports an oral and maxillofacial pathology residency program.  

Message from the Chair

The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine Department of Diagnostic Sciences educates students to provide oral radiology, oral pathology/oral medicine, and dental emergency services to patients and clinicians. Oral radiology and oral pathology combine basic science and general dentistry to help dentists diagnose oral diseases and develop treatment plans.

The department offers oral pathology biopsy services, oral and maxillofacial radiology referrals and consultations, emergency services, and supports an oral and maxillofacial pathology residency program.

Graduate, predoctoral, and dental hygiene students learn clinical techniques for extra-oral and intraoral examination, medical history review and assessment, diagnosis of dental pain, dental emergency treatment planning, and radiographic procedures.  Faculty use didactic teaching methods and provide students with clinical experiences to instruct general and systemic pathology, oral pathology and radiology, and management of dental emergencies.

Faculty also serve as consults to outside practitioners to aide in the diagnosis and management of difficult cases.

The department supports a three-year Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Residency Program through the UPMC Department of Dental Medicine. The program prepares graduates to diagnose and treat oral disease, and establish the critical connection between oral disease and systemic disease. Residents also receive extensive training in surgical pathology and are eligible for the examination offered by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology upon graduation from the program.

Anitha Potluri BDS, DMD, MDcs
Associate Professor and Chair
Assistant Dean for Residency Education
Director, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
Director of Admissions, International Advanced Standing Program

Learn about Pitt Dental Medicine Diagnostic Sciences faculty & staff

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Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology Biopsy Service

Timely diagnoses to health care providers, including molecular diagnostics, immunofluorescence, and immunocytochemistry.

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Emergency Care

Pitt Dental Medicine can assess your emergency dental need through an emergency TeleHealth visit.