The Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine Oral Medicine, Infection and Immunity is dedicated to providing an environment of scholarly inquiry, teaching and patient care wherein graduate students can pursue their study of the specialty of oral and maxillofacial pathology with both effectiveness and flexibility.

Goal of the Program:

The goal of the graduate Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology program is to train a specialist who is able to:

1. Provide the highest level of microscopy diagnostic skills utilizing, when appropriate, new technologies in immunohistochemistry and molecular studies.

2. Diagnose and manage patients with mucosal disease and head and neck pain syndromes whose primary treatment modality is non non-surgical.

3. Compete successfully for research grants from industry and other sponsoring institutions.

4. Excel as teachers and leaders in the specialty.

Didactic Training

The Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology program begins with an intensive didactic program that provides a broad understanding of the pathophysiology and behavior of disease and provides a strong theoretical background in the area of the student's research interests. All students take a number of Oral Biology Core Courses offered at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. In addition, students choose from a wide range of courses offered at the Harvard Medical School, the Harvard School of Public Health or the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Each student must demonstrate competency in statistical methods by successful completion of a course in biostatistics offered at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine or the Harvard School of Public Health. The total number of courses which must be completed is determined by the candidate's degree selection.

Clinical Training

Clinical training in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology has two components: diagnostic histopathology and direct patient care. Students receive rigorous training not only in oral but also head and neck, and general pathology. Students also learn to diagnose and treat patients with mucosal disease in Block rotations at the Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Students are encouraged to achieve competency in oral and maxillofacial pathology to at least the level of Fellowship in the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.

Research and Teaching Responsibilities

Research leading to a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree is required of all graduate students.

Students are required to successfully write and defend an original thesis based on their independent research. Research may be performed at any of the laboratories in the Longwood Medical area which offers a wide range of opportunities to work with nationally and internationally renowned researchers. Students are mentored by the Principal Investigators in those laboratories.

Students gain teaching experience by taking leadership roles in departmental conferences and by working with graduate students from other programs and predoctoral students.