Master (MSc) in Oral Medicine and Pathology

An oral medicine or stomatology dentist (or stomatologist) has received additional specialized training and experience in the diagnosis and management of oral mucosal abnormalities (growths, ulcers, infection, allergies, immune-mediated and autoimmune disorders) including oral cancer, salivary gland disorders, temporomandibular disorders (e.g.: problems with the TMJ) and facial pain (due to musculoskeletal or neurologic conditions), taste and smell disorders; and recognition of the oral manifestations of systemic and infectious diseases. It lies at the interface between medicine and dentistry.

An oral medicine doctor is trained to diagnose and manage patients with disorders of the orofacial region, essentially as a "physician of the mouth". In the UK, oral medicine is one of the 13 specialties of dentistry recognized by the General Dental Council (GDC). The GDC defines oral medicine as oral health care of patients with chronic recurrent and medically related disorders of the mouth and with their diagnosis and non-surgical management. Unlike many other countries, oral medicine physicians in the UK do not usually partake in the dental management of their patients.

Some UK oral medicine specialists have dual qualification with both medical and dental degrees. In 2010 the GDC approved a new curriculum for oral medicine, and a medical degree is no longer a prerequisite for entry into specialist training. Specialist training is normally 5 years, although this may be reduced to a minimum of 3 years in recognition of previous training, such as a medical degree.

In the UK, oral medicine is one of the smallest dental specialties. According to the GDC, in 2012 there were 16 oral medicine units across the UK, mostly based in dental teaching hospitals.