Oral Surgery and Pathology

The Academic Department in the University is responsible for teaching courses in Oral Pathology, Oral Medicine and Oral Biology to undergraduate dental students and in future to postgraduate students. The undergraduate training for dental students is domiciled in the School of Dentistry, University of Benin that awards Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree. The academic department consist of (3) subunits including:

• Oral Pathology Unit
• Oral Medicine Unit
• Oral Biology Unit  

Presently, there is a Postgraduate (Resident) training program that is based in the Clinical Department within the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The clinical department in the hospital consists of four (4) units including:

• Oral Histopathology and Cytopathology Unit
• Oral Medicine Unit and Clinical Oral Pathology
• Oral Immunology and Microbiology Unit
•  Forensic Dentistry Unit

The clinical department provides clinical postings/demonstrations in Oral medicine, Clinical oral pathology and histopathology for dental students; a specialist training of Residents in Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine; and specialist treatment for patients referred to the department.

The laboratory Units of the department are separated into Oral Biology laboratory (domiciled in the School of Dentistry, University of Benin) and Oral Pathology laboratory (domiciled in the hospital). The Oral Biology laboratory is used for teaching and demonstration of oral physiology and histology of normal oral tissues / structures to undergraduate dental students. While the Oral Pathology laboratory is used for teaching and demonstration of Oral Histopathology/Cytopathology to undergraduate and postgraduate students (Resident). It also provides diagnostic services for Orofacial histopathological, cytopathological and microbiological diseases, as well as forensic dental consultations.

PHILOSOPHY

The philosophy of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Medicine is to educate the undergraduate dental students in the diagnosis of orofacial diseases by providing the basic knowledge on the histopathological features of those diseases and medical treatment of these diseases.  

OBJECTIVES

1. To be a department of excellence in line with international standards on teaching, service and research in Oral Biology, Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine
2. To provide basic knowledge of normal dental anatomy, histology and physiology and its pathological form for improved understanding of the orofacial diseases and increased skill in its diagnosis. Also, to provide a basic and advanced education in Oral Medicine.
3. To have a high level of competence and judgment in the practical microscopic diagnosis of common and significant orofacial pathological lesions and conditions and initiative in determining the steps necessary to resolve a diagnosis for specimens
4. To have high quality skills graduates with adequate knowledge about common laboratory investigations and interpretation of their results in the practice of Oral Medicine.

MISSION

To deliver high quality healthcare in line with international best practices through excellence in orofacial diagnosis, clinical oral medical care, academic and biomedical research and produce competent, responsible and happy Oral Biologist, Oral Pathologist and Oral Medical Practitioners.