Oral Medicine and/or Oral Pathology

Oral Medicine and/or Oral Pathology is the branch and specialty of dentistry concerned with the diagnosis, nature and primarily non-surgical management of oral, maxillofacial, and temporomandibular diseases and disorders, including dental management of patients with medical complications. Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology are two applied components of this specialty.

Examination Information

Due to the nature of the assessments, the Oral Medicine and Pathology (OMOP) and Oral Pathology (OP) examinations will be held in person at a single location within Canada. The exact location of the examination site will be communicated after the closure of the 2023 Fellowship Examination application window.

Oral Medicine and Pathology (OMOP) Examination

Clinical Oral Pathology – Oral (2 hours)
Clinical Oral Medicine – Oral (2 hours)
Microscopic – 2 parts (3 hours)
- Part 1 – Microscope – 30 Slides (90 minutes)
- Part 2 – Microscope – 4 cases – Oral (60 minutes)

Oral Pathology (OP) Examination

Clinical Oral Pathology – Oral (2 hours)
Microscopic – 2 parts (3 hours)
- Part 1 – Microscope – 30 slides (90 minutes)
- Part 2 – Microscope – 4 cases – Oral (60 minutes)

Oral Medicine (OM) Examination

Clinical Oral Pathology – Oral (2 hours)
Clinical Oral Medicine – Oral (2 hours)

Microscopic Evaluation (OMOP and OP candidates):

The practical examination consists of a microscopic diagnosis of surgical oral pathology tissue sections. Electron micrographs, immunohistochemical and molecular histology tissue sections may be included.

Candidates in Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology, and Oral Pathology, must bring their own microscope in order to complete the practical microscopic examination. Candidates are responsible for the provision and operation of the microscope, must be completely familiar with its operation and comfortable in making routine diagnoses with this equipment. Candidates must bring a spare bulb and be familiar with changing this bulb. Candidates should also bring any and all microscopic tools (e.g., polarizing lenses) that they believe they may need.

The candidate will be provided with 4 microscopic cases to review in 20 minutes. There will then be a 60 minute oral examination to discuss these cases. Case materials may include, but not limited to microscopic slides, photographs, diagnostic test reports, such as medical and imaging reports.

Clinical Oral Pathology (OMOP and OP candidates):

The Clinical Oral Pathology section consists of questions from Examiners, covering the topics common to both Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine listed below.

Clinical Oral Medicine (OMOP and OM candidates):

The Clinical Oral Medicine section consists of questions from Examiners and will cover topics in Oral Medicine listed below.

Topics to Review

Microscopic (part 1 and part 2)

Oral Pathology
General Pathology as it pertains to Oral Pathology
Ancillary Testing
Immunohistochemistry
Molecular
Quality Control
History and Examination
Diagnosis
Differential Diagnosis
Work-Up
Diagnostic Tests and Diagnostic Test Results
Management/Treatment Planning
Complications/Prognosis

Oral

History and Examination
Differential Diagnosis
Work-up
Interpretation of test results, including histopathology
Diagnosis
Management/Treatment
Complications/Prognosis

In addition, topics for review include the following as it pertains to oral pathology and/or oral medicine

General and Systemic Pathology
Orofacial Anatomy and Physiology
Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Immunology
Microbiology
General Medicine
Developmental Conditions
Benign and Malignant Neoplasms
Immunological Conditions
Infectious Diseases, and their Sequelae
Disorders of Bones and Joints
Disorders of Salivary Glands
Physical and Chemical Injuries and their Sequelae
Metabolic and Hormonal Diseases
Orofacial Disorders Arising from Ageing, Systemic Disease and Medical Therapies
Oral and Dental Management of Patients with Complex Medical Conditions
Orofacial Pain and Neurosensory Disorders

Please note that all topics may not necessarily appear in every examination.

Candidate Study Guide

The intent of this guide is to provide the candidate with an understanding of the format in which questions may be asked during the Fellowship Examination. The content used in these sample questions is used for illustrative purposes only, and should not be construed as an example of the level of difficulty of the examination questions.