In accordance with British literature, Sir Jonathan Hutchinson, is regarded as the Father of Oral Medicine. Much of the early description of oral mucosal diseases was found in dermatology textbooks, as documented in the works of Dr Erasmus Wilson. Another pioneer of great intellect and vision was Dr Lester Burket, he promoted the integration of medicine into dental education and the role of oral health in reflecting systemic health. He is considered by many as the Father of Oral Medicine and published one of the first definitive textbooks devoted to oral medicine in 1946. Oral Medicine was introduced in the Government Dental College, Bangalore affiliated to Bangalore University was the first dental school in India to teach Oral Medicine. Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in radiology, a 2-year program, was introduced by Bombay University in 1959.Bangalore was the first institute to start MDS course with 2 year duration in Oralmedicine, Diagnosis and Radiology in 1970. As a part of the training program the first OPG X-ray unit, in India was installed, a gift from the WHO. The growth and development of the subject oral medicine would have remained incomplete without an organization for the specialists to meet, discuss and propagate the acquired knowledge. On 20th June 1985 in Bangalore an organization called Indian Academy of Oral Medicine was formed. During the fifth national conference in Chennai, the Academy was renamed as Indian Academy of Oral Medicine and Radiology (IAOMR). IAOMR launched its official publication Journal of Indian Academy of Oral Medicine and Radiology in the year 1986.

In India, the speciality of Oral Medicine, Diagnosis and Radiology is taught to undergraduate students in the third and final year of the BDS program. Following the BDS degree a student can pursue a 3-year program in the speciality that leads to an MDS degree in Oral Medicine, Diagnosis and Radiology.

In spite of remarkable progress made by the subject of Oral Medicine and Radiology during the last two decades many teachers and clinicians feel there is plenty of scope for improvement in teaching methodology and research.

Future research will move further into genetics and proteomics to define etiopathogenesis of these complex diseases as well as find targeted treatment approaches.