"For if we readily accept that health is wealth, then the oral cavity is most definitely the gold mine."

Oral pathology is an integral part of pathology and a branch of dentistry concerned with the scientific study of the causes and effects of oral disease an understanding of which is essential for diagnosis and for the development of rational treatment and preventive programs.

Oral pathology is an important bridging specialty between dentistry and medicine, and strong links exist between it and pathology, otolaryngology, dermatology, and among others to improve the healthcare climate for all.

Oral diagnosis is based on sound knowledge of oral pathology and is essential for good clinical practice. The practice of oral pathology includes research, diagnosis of diseases using clinical, microscopic, biochemical or other examinations, and management of patients.

The clinical evaluation and diagnosis of oral mucosal diseases are in the scope of oral & maxillofacial pathology specialists and oral medicine practitioners, both disciplines of dentistry. When a microscopic evaluation is needed, a biopsy is taken, and microscopically observed by a pathologist. The American Dental Association uses the term oral and maxillofacial pathology, and describes it as "the specialty of dentistryand pathology which deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. It is a science that investigates the causes, processes and effects of these diseases."

Investigation of diseases is based on the information obtained when the patient???s clinical presentation, past history or imaging studies do not allow a definitive diagnosis. A biopsy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a piece of tissue sample from the living organism for the purpose of microscopic examination. In most cases, biopsies are carried out under local anaesthesia. Some are carried out endoscopically, others under image guidance, for instance ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the radiology suite. Haematology, Cytology and microbiological investigations are considered to be the other segments of Oral Pathology.

A good surgeon always depends on proper investigation and a good pathologist to treat a disease successfully.