The department of Oral medicine & Diagnosis, Radiology (OMDR) is the first department which every patient enters through before proceeding for the treatment in other departments of the dental college. The department of OMDR is well equipped to handle, diagnose, suggest and perform treatments for all types of cases that enter though the gates of GITAM Dental College & Hospital. The staff in the department are well trained and are updated with the latest know how in the field of oral diagnostics that enables the early diagnosis and management of the patients without any delay in any of the diagnostic procedures. The staff also imparts quality training program to the undergraduate students and the post graduates alike to use of latest diagnostic equipment and diagnose the cases. All types of cases right from the simple pulp and periapical pathologies to other pathologies like the TMJ disorders, Salivary gland disorders, patients with systemic illnesses and diagnosing precancers and oral cancers are carried out in this department. Most of the chairside investigations like the tooth vitality tests, aspiration cytology, vital staining of precancerous lesions and punch biopsies of suspected lesions are carried out immediately. Advanced diagnostic procedures like the light-based detection system are also used to for diagnosing early precancerous lesions.

The radiographic procedures also carried out in the department using the latest radiographic equipment like the digital panoramic radiographic unit, RVG, Skull projections using 100mA extraoral machine. Other advanced radiographic techniques like the sialography are also done in cases required. All the radiographic equipments are AERB certified and are handled by well trained staff so as to deliver quality radiographs for diagnostic purposes. All the radiographs taken are interpreted by the students and the staff and adequately reported.

The department also is competent enough to carry out the medical management of the patients with oro facial pains like the myofascial pain, TMJ pain and neuralgias. Management of common oral and mucosal disorders, precancerous lesions and salivary gland disorders. The department in collaboration with other department will suggest and manage cases of patients with medically compromised conditions like CVS diseases, Diabetics, bleeding and clotting disorders etc.

The department also has an undergraduate training program (BDS) for third and fourth year students and also has a three year post graduate program (MDS). The training given to the undergraduates includes the assessment of the patients to identify, diagnose and manage common oro facial and dental problems and also to take diagnostic intra oral radiographs and interpreting them. The post graduate training includes the detailed examination of the patient along with diagnosing the oro facial disorders and managing such disorders. They are also trained to interpret the intraoral and extraoral radiographs along with the interpretation of OPGs, CT, ultrasound, MRI and CBCT. They are also trained to undertake chairside investigations and medically manage patients with medical conditions, geriatric patients and also impart palliative care to the patients with oral cancers.

In future the department has plans for the procurement of CBCT so as to impart hands on training to the post graduates and facilitate implant planning for other departments. There are also plans to include lasers for the management of oral and mucosal lesions.

Specific competencies

• Able to identify precancerous and cancerous lesions of the oral cavity and refer to the concerned speciality for their management.
• Should have an adequate knowledge about common laboratory investigations and interpretation of their results.
• Should have adequate knowledge about medical complications that can arise while treating systemically compromised patients and take prior precautions/ consent from the concerned medical specialist.
• Have adequate knowledge about radiation health hazards, radiations safety and protection.
• Competent to take intra-oral radiographs and interpret the radiographic findings.
• Gain adequate knowledge of various extra-oral radiographic procedures, TMJ radiography and sialography.
• Be aware of the importance of intra- and extra-oral radiographs in forensic identification and age estimation.
• Should be familiar with jurisprudence, ethics and understand the significance of dental records with respect to law.