School of Dental Medicine

Department of Diagnostic Sciences

Two dentists reviewing an x-ray

Department Chair:  Mark Lerman

The Department of Diagnostic Sciences consists of four Divisions to serve the public and the dental school. The Chair is Professor, Mark Lerman, DMD. The department is responsible for teaching, research, and service for a variety of head and neck pathologies with emphasis on diseases of the mouth, jaws, TMJ (temporomandibular joint), and oral manifestations of bodily disease.

Divisions

Craniofacial Pain

Division Head:  Leopoldo Correa

Clinical Services:  Craniofacial Pain Center

This clinical discipline of dentistry at Tufts is involved with a variety of conditions that cause head and neck pain including TMJ, migraines, and sleep disorders. In addition to providing teaching and research, patient services include:

  • Diagnosis and Management of complex pain of the head and neck by a team of dentists and medical specialists
  • Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology

Division Head:  Mark Lerman

Clinical Services:  Tufts Oral Pathology Services

This is the ADA–recognized specialty of dentistry and discipline of pathology that involves the nature, identification, and management of diseases of the oral and maxillofacial region. This science investigates the causes, processes, and effects of these diseases through clinical, radiographic, microscopic, and other examinations. In addition to teaching and conducting research, this division’s patient services include:

  • Microscopic evaluation of biopsy specimens received both from within the school and from dentists and physicians in private practice at Tufts Oral Pathology Services (TOPS).
  • Clinical evaluation of patients for diagnosis and management of oral mucosal disease. Appointments may be scheduled with Dr. Lerman by calling 617-636-3932.

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

Division Head:  Hugo Campos

Clinical Services:  Radiology Services

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (OMFR) is the ADA–recognized clinical specialty of dentistry and discipline of radiology concerned with the production and interpretation of images and data produced by all modalities of radiant energy that are used for the diagnosis and management of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral and maxillofacial region. The TUSDM OMFR division is also heavily involved with teaching dental students, dental specialists and general dentists as well as research.

An Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist (OMR)  is a dentist specialized in the acquisition and interpretation of radiographic imaging studies performed for diagnosis of treatment guidelines for conditions affecting the maxillofacial region. Specializing as an OMR requires the completion of residency in an American Dental Association CODA accredited program. Training includes a thorough knowledge on techniques and interpretation for maxillofacial CT, CBCT, MRI, ultrasound and other pertinent modalities. OMRs may be further qualified by passing the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (ABOMR) exam.

Oral Medicine

Division Head:  Vidya Sankar

Clinical Services:  Oral Medicine Clinic

This clinical discipline of dentistry at Tufts is particularly involved in managing the medically compromised patient particularly those who suffer head and neck cancer treatment side effects such as dry mouth and mouth sores. In addition to performing research and teaching dental students and dentists, this division serves patients by:

  • Management of mouth and dental treatment for very high-risk cavities
  • Dental management of patients with systemic medical conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS
  • Dental management of patients who have undergone bone marrow transplants
  • Dental management of patients who suffer dry mouth and conditions such as Sjogren’s syndrome