Departments / Diagnostic Sciences / Under Graduate Programs / Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology

DIVISION OF ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL RADIOLOGY

Director, Dr. Muralidhar Mupparapu

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology deals with the diagnosis and management of diseases and abnormalities of the oral and maxillofacial region through the interpretation of images. Oral and Maxilllofacial Radiology is based on physical principles and biological phenomena; it encompasses the use and understanding of radiation, including diagnostic, therapeutic and nuclear medicine aspects of clinical practice and research. As a diagnostic science, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology contributes to diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making across all dental disciplines.

Radiology I. This second-year, two-semester course covers the basic biomedical and clinical knowledge that supports radiology practice.  The student will begin to develop the decision-making skills for determining the diagnostic acceptability of radiographs and for correcting technical errors that result in non-diagnostic radiographs and for deciding when and which radiographic examinations contribute to the diagnostic assessment of patients. Additionally, the student will begin to develop the cognitive skills of identifying normal radiographic anatomy and of radiographic interpretation of the common dental diseases (i.e., dental caries, periodontal diseases, pulpal and periapical diseases, and dental anomalies) in preparation for clinical activity in the third year.

Oral Radiology III. This fourth-year course reinforces and builds upon prior basic biomedical and clinical knowledge that support radiology practice. The students will continue to develop the decision-making skills for the radiographic examinations that contribute to the diagnostic assessment of patients. They develop the cognitive skills of radiographic interpretation of the less common dental and non-dental diseases that affect the jaws and surrounding oral and maxillofacial structures. This Oral Radiology course that is presented as lectures in power point format or slide projection will include some advanced imaging sessions that will introduce the students to radiographic procedures like the computed tomograph (CI), Cone Beam CT (CBCT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The course includes library assignments and two large group seminars for the entire class.

Radiology Clinic. The Junior Oral Radiology clinic rotation consists of approximately twenty clinic sessions distributed over the junior year. Students are trained in the patient assessment for and prescription of and decision-making skills for comprehensive and emergency radiographic examinations. Students obtain, chemically process and mount periapical, bitewing, occlusal and panoramic radiographic films before they interpret them. Students are also trained in the selection criteria, evaluation of technique errors and the decision making process in the re-exposures. This clinical experience is done in small groups (4-6) students). Students are instructed on the basic concepts of digital radiography.

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