Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Science

• Clinical Diagnostic Expertise: Accurately diagnose and manage complex non-dental oral conditions, including autoimmune mucosal diseases, chronic orofacial pain, and salivary gland disorders.
• Radiographic Proficiency: Expertly interpret advanced imaging modalities, such as Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and MRI, for the assessment of maxillofacial pathology and dental implant planning.
• Pathological Analysis: Demonstrate competence in performing oral biopsies and interpreting microscopic tissue changes to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions.
• Systemic Correlation: Identify and manage oral manifestations of systemic diseases (e.g., Diabetes, Leukemia, HIV) and understand their impact on dental treatment planning.
• Research Autonomy: Design, execute, and defend an original Research Thesis that contributes new scientific data to the field of oral medicine or pathology.
• Evidence-Based Practice: Critically appraise dental literature and apply the latest clinical guidelines to patient care and academic teaching.

• A Bachelor of Dentistry (BDS/DDS) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25/5.
• A minimum GPA of 3.75/5 in specialty-related undergraduate courses.
• Evidence of completing a one-year internship and obtaining occupational classification from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.
• An English proficiency score of at least 61 in TOEFL-IBT or equivalent.
• Success in a departmental written and applied examination

First Year :
Focus Area: Foundational Sciences

• DENT101 – Microanatomy of Hard Dental Tissues – 3 Credit Hours

• DENT102 – Oral Mucous Membranes & Salivary Glands – 3 Credit Hours

• DENT103 – Facial Development & Systemic Influences – 3 Credit Hours

Additional Learning:

• Lectures on current controversies in oral literature

• Discussions on systemic effects on oral tissues

Second Year :
Focus Area: Clinical Specialization – Oral Medicine

• OM201 – Oral Mucosal Disorders – 3 Credit Hours

• OM202 – Oral Ulcers & Salivary Gland Diseases – 3 Credit Hours

• OM203 – Diagnosis & Management of Non-Dental Conditions – 3 Credit Hours

Clinical Training:

• Hands-on patient assessment and management of oral diseases

• Exposure to case studies and interdisciplinary consultations

Third Year – Clinical Specialization
Focus Area: Oral Pathology & Microbiology

• OPM301 – Biopsy Techniques & Tissue Analysis – 3 Credit Hours

• OPM302 – Tumor Pathology & Immune-Mediated Disorders – 3 Credit Hours

• OPM303 – Laboratory Skills in Oral Pathology – 3 Credit Hours

Clinical Training:

• Microscopic examination of biopsies

• Correlation of clinical findings with pathological diagnosis

Third Year – Clinical Specialization
Focus Area: Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology

• OMR301 – Advanced 3D Imaging for Implant Planning – 3 Credit Hours

• OMR302 – TMJ Disorders Imaging – 3 Credit Hours

• OMR303 – Tumor Diagnosis via Radiology – 3 Credit Hours

Clinical Training:

• Use of CBCT, CT, and MRI for diagnosis and treatment planning

• Integration of radiology with clinical decision-making

Research Phase (Year 3 or beyond)
Focus Area: Dental Research & Evidence-Based Practice

• RES401 – Research Thesis / Capstone Project – Variable Credit Hours

Requirements:

• Completion of an original research project or thesis

• Contribution to advancing scientific knowledge in dentistry