Oral Medicine Specialists

The opposite of oral surgery: this specialism is focussed upon the diagnosis and treatment of dental problems with the mouth, jaws and saliva glands. It is concerned with medical problems rather than surgical interventions.

Oral surgery deals with surgical related conditions of the teeth and jaws.

Your local dentist will refer you to an oral medicine specialist if required. This referral will take place in a dental hospital and will involve a thorough check up as well as taking a full medical history.

This may be followed by a series of investigations and tests which will help with diagnosis and treatment. These will include swabs, smears, tissue analysis and blood tests. In some cases a biopsy will be taken which is carried out by an oral surgery specialist.

An oral medicine specialist will discuss a range of medical treatments with you which will include how to manage your disease as well as prescribing appropriate medication.

An oral medicine specialist is a dentist who will have medical qualifications as well as dental ones. He or she will hold Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (MFDS) as well as a Diploma of Membership in Oral Medicine (MOMed). To obtain this diploma, candidates need to have at least 2 years postgraduate experience and 3 years in SAC posts, courses and training.

Dental Specialists Guide Index:

• Dental and maxillofacial radiology Specialists
• Dental public health Specialists
• Endodontic Specialists
• Oral and maxillofacial pathology Specialists
• Oral medicine Specialists
• Oral microbiology Specialists
• Oral surgery Specialists

• Orthodontic Specialists
• Paediatric dentistry Specialists
• Periodontic Specialists
• Prosthodontic Specialists
• Restorative dentistry Specialists
• Special care dentistry Specialists