Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): Pathology, Oral

Oral pathology is the branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis and management of diseases and conditions of the oral and maxillofacial region. Oral pathologists use a variety of diagnostic techniques, including clinical examination, radiographic imaging, and biopsy, to identify and diagnose oral lesions, tumors, and other conditions. They also work closely with other dental and medical specialists to develop treatment plans and monitor patient progress.

Some examples of oral pathology conditions include:

Oral cancer

Leukoplakia

Lichen planus

Oral precancerous lesion

Oral manifestation of systemic diseases

Developmental and genetic disorders

Data visualization can be used to understand the distribution and trends of oral pathology conditions and to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. For example, geographic maps can be used to show the prevalence of oral cancer in different regions and heat maps can be used to show the distribution of oral precancerous lesion within the oral cavity.