Department of Oral Pathology

Prof Nighat Ara Bukhari

Head of Department

Message from the HOD

Welcome to the Department of Oral Pathology at Army Medical College, where we are committed to fostering academic excellence and scientific curiosity in the field of oral disease and pathology.

Our vision is to cultivate a learning environment that empowers future dental professionals and researchers with a deep understanding of oral pathology, grounded in evidence-based education and ethical practice.

Our mission is to deliver high-quality teaching to undergraduate (BDS) and postgraduate (M.Phil) students through structured, learner-centered methodologies. We aim to build strong foundational knowledge, critical thinking skills, and research orientation in our students, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of oral health sciences.

The department offers:
• BDS Program: Focused on core concepts of oral pathology, histopathology, and disease mechanisms, integrated with clinical relevance.
• MPhil Oral Pathology: Conducted in coordination with the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), this program emphasizes advanced theoretical knowledge and research training.

We take pride in our academic rigor, collaborative ethos, and commitment to nurturing the next generation of oral health educators and researchers. Our department consistently achieves a 100% result rate, reflecting the dedication of our faculty and the hard work of our students. We are also proud to have highly qualified faculty including foreign qualified teachers, whose expertise and scholarly contributions enrich our academic programs and uphold the highest standards of medical education.

Prof Nighat Ara Bukhari

Head, Department of Oral Pathology

Introduction

The Department of Oral Pathology at Army Medical College NUMS is a cornerstone of medical and dental education, committed to the advanced study of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. We are committed to shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals through comprehensive undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Our focus is on the intricate connection between clinical practice and the scientific principles that underpin the disease, ensuring our students gain a deep and practical understanding of pathology. This understanding has vital clinical applications, from the early detection of oral cancers and precancerous lesions, which dramatically improves patient outcomes, to the accurate diagnosis of infectious, autoimmune, and developmental conditions. We equip our students with the skills to identify subtle clinical signs that can point to systemic diseases with oral manifestations. Our educational mission is to empower future clinicians with the diagnostic expertise to provide excellent patient care and contribute meaningfully to the scientific community.

Aim & Mission

Our primary aim is to be a leading center for education and research in oral pathology. Our mission is to:
• Educate students and postgraduate residents with the most current knowledge and skills needed to excel in this specialized field.
• Contribute to the scientific community by conducting high-quality, impactful research that advances our understanding of oral diseases.
• Foster a culture of critical thinking and scientific inquiry among our students and faculty, preparing them to be lifelong learners and innovators.

Outline of the Course

This course aims to develop foundational knowledge and diagnostic skills in oral pathology, focusing on diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial region. Students will learn to identify and understand the etiology, clinical presentation, and histopathological features of both developmental and acquired conditions.

Learning begins with developmental disturbances and cystic lesions of the jaws, providing insight into anomalies of hard and soft tissues. The course then covers inflammatory diseases, including dental caries, pulpitis, and periapical pathologies, progressing to bone lesions, odontogenic tumors, and epithelial pathologies. Students will differentiate between neoplastic and non-neoplastic disorders using clinical and microscopic criteria.

Further modules address bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, immune-mediated conditions, and connective tissue diseases with oral manifestations. Salivary gland disorders, chemical and physical injuries, and hematologic conditions affecting the oral cavity are also included. The course integrates systemic pathology to enhance understanding of oral signs of metabolic, neuromuscular, and dermatologic diseases, including lymphomas.

Teaching strategies include lectures, vertically integrated sessions, case-based discussions, and histopathology slide reviews. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to correlate clinical findings with pathological features and apply critical thinking in diagnosis and management within clinical dental practice.