Dr. Manal Al-Sheddi discusses the field of oral pathology. She notes that oral pathology bridges medicine and dentistry by diagnosing and managing oral diseases. Most of an oral pathologist's time is spent in the laboratory processing biopsy specimens to prepare reports and assess patients. While pathologists can work in hospitals, most oral pathologists have positions in academic institutions. Oral pathology is important for dentists to understand diseases affecting the mouth and teeth to make accurate diagnoses and interpret pathology reports. Compared to general pathologists with medical degrees, oral pathologists have dental degrees and focus on lesions in the oral cavity and face. Future innovations in oral pathology may involve stem cell research and translational studies for new treatment options. Bec

1. An interview done with
Dr. Manal Al-Sheddi
Associate Professor & Consultant Maxillofacial
Pathologist. KSU, College of Dentistry

2. What is the difference of being an oral
pathologist than being in other dental fields?
“Oral and maxillofacial pathology is a specialty of dentistry that deals with
diagnosis as well as management of oral and maxillofacial diseases. A
specialty that bridges the gap between medicine and dentistry.”

3. What is the nature of an oral pathologist work?
“Oral and maxillofacial pathologists spend most of their time in the
laboratory. They receive the biopsy specimens taken from patients and
prepare them for processing and final reporting. They are also involved in
patient assessment and diagnosis clinics. They might be involved in
research too.”

4. Where can pathologist usually be found?
“You can find pathologist in pathology department in hospital as well as
academic institutions. However, most oral and maxillofacial pathologist
work in academic institutions.”

5. How can oral pathology affect dental field?
“Oral and maxillofacial pathology is corner stone specialty in dentistry.
Dental graduates should have good understanding of pathogenesis of
different diseases affecting the mouth and teeth. They should be able to
diagnose and make good differential diagnosis and be able to interpret a
final pathology report. These skills are basic and essential for every
practicing dentist. it is the oral and maxillofacial pathology specialty that
provides them with such skills and knowledge.”

6. Is there a deference between being a general
pathologist or being a dental pathologist?
“Yes there are differences, general pathologist carries medical degree and
eligible to diagnose lesions from any part of the body and there are many
subspecialties in general pathology such as ENT, bone and soft tissues,
dermatopathology and hematopathology. Oral and maxillofacial
pathologist are graduates of dental schools and their scope of work is
limited to lesions affecting oral and maxillofacial area.”

7. What would be expected in the future
revolution regarding oral pathology?
“Oral and maxillofacial pathology involves research, and I expect
major contribution of the specialty in research the future.
Researches that are based on stem cells and translational
researches will lead in the future for the treatment of oral and
dental diseases.”

8. Finally, if someone interested in pathology, How can
they become an oral Pathologist?
“To become an oral and maxillofacial pathologist you need to complete at
least three years of residency program in the specialty. It is comprised of
training in general pathology, clinical pathology, and oral medicine in
addition to oral pathology. I always recommend that those who wants to
be pathologist to spend some time in the laboratory to understand the
actual practice of the specialty. There are different postgraduate
programs offered by different university in the world. You should be aware
that not all of them would provide you with the needed training to be
competent pathologist. Look for accrediate and good programs and ask
experts in the field.”