Oral Pathology - The Soul of Dentistry

Oral and maxillofacial pathology, is the very foundation of dentistry. It is a branch of dentistry where research meets clinical practice with the use of histopathology, cytopathology, haematology, immunohistochemistry, clinical biochemistry, microbiology, molecular science, forensic odontology, and a lot more, making it a unique and rare branch in its own way. It acts as a backbone of dental science, by investigating the causes, processes, and effects of the disease affecting the oral and maxillofacial region. Therefore, this branch requires timely up-gradation to analyse health data, research findings and treatment techniques to offer a diagnostic and therapeutic recommendation for individual patients. The application of digital technology in oral pathology is on the verge of becoming a standard of care, thereby eliminating the need for practising pathology on a conventional microscope. Globally, pathological laboratories need to be more efficient than before. Therefore, automation and digitalization are required to not only increase the efficiency, growth, quality, and capacity but also to standardise the processes. The purpose of this article is to introduce the readers, the incorporation of new ideas and technologies in the lab for a better and faster diagnosis, and would also like to explain the concept of standardizing the method of recording and maintaining the dental or medical records of the patients, and also standardizing the lab reports.