DEPARTMENT OF ORAL PATHOLOGY & MICROBIOLOGY
Oral pathology and Microbiology is a specialized field within dentistry focused on the scientific investigation of the causes and effects of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. Understanding these causes and their impacts is crucial for accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and the development of preventive strategies.
There are over 200 distinct diseases that can affect the oral cavity. While a clinician can often make a preliminary diagnosis based on the appearance and history of oral lesions, many cases require confirmation through microscopic examination.
A strong foundation in oral pathology is vital for effective clinical practice. This discipline not only addresses primary diseases of the oral tissues but also encompasses oral signs of systemic conditions. Additionally, forensic odontology, a key component of oral pathology, plays a significant role in identifying deceased individuals.
The Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology was established in 2002. The postgraduate program commenced in 2011, with an annual intake of three students.
VISION
To be a centre of excellence in oral and maxillofacial pathology by advancing education, research, and clinical diagnostics, contributing to improved oral healthcare and the broader understanding of disease processes.
MISSION
- To provide high-quality education in oral pathology, fostering critical thinking and diagnostic skills in future dental professionals.
- To promote accurate diagnosis of oral diseases through clinical, histopathological, and advanced diagnostic methods.
- To conduct meaningful research that contributes to the understanding and management of oral and systemic diseases.
- To integrate forensic odontology into academic and clinical practice, supporting the legal and investigative fields.
- To uphold the highest standards of ethics, patient care, and academic integrity in all departmental activities.
TEACHING PROGRAMS
The Oral Pathology & Microbiology department offers a comprehensive range of educational programs designed for dental undergraduates, interns, and postgraduate students.
UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING PROGRAM
The department offers a comprehensive teaching program for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year BDS students, delivered through lectures, seminars, and practical sessions.
First-year students are introduced to normal oral and dental anatomy and histology through a combination of lectures, hands-on practical’s, and seminars. Practical sessions include tooth carving using wax and microscopic examination of histological slides. The study of anatomy is enriched by its interrelation with various clinical and basic sciences such as anthropology, endodontics, forensic science, orthodontics, and pediatric dentistry.
Second- and third-year students focus on the identification and understanding of various oral diseases, guided by theoretical instruction and practical exposure.
Interns receive training in preparing ground sections of teeth and are actively involved in assisting with oral pathology research projects.
POSTGRADUATE TEACHING PROGRAM
The department offers a full-time postgraduate program in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, spanning three years. Upon successful completion, candidates are awarded the MDS degree by Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada.
The program provides in-depth knowledge of the histology and anatomy of oral and paraoral structures, along with a thorough understanding of disease classification affecting the head and neck region through laboratory-based diagnostic techniques.
The curriculum includes:
- Case discussions
- Demonstrations
- Group discussions
- Seminars
- Viva voce examinations
- Journal clubs
This rigorous training equips postgraduate students with both theoretical expertise and practical skills required for advanced clinical practice and academic research in oral pathology.
Dr A. Anu Radha, Professor and Head of Department of Oral and maxillofacial Pathology & Microbiology, had completed her B.D.S from Rajah Muthiah Dental College, Annamalai University in 2001, M.D.S from Meenakshi Ammal Dental College, Dr. MGR University in 2004, PG Diploma in Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs from Sikkim Manipal University in 2015 and PhD from Saveetha University in 2019. She is affiliated with St Joseph Dental College since 2004.
She has around 19 years of experience in under graduate teaching of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Oral Histology, Embryology and Anatomy and 14 years of post-graduate teaching experience and been mentoring number of PG students. She has been the principal investigator/ coinvestigator in number of research projects including ICMR projects. Her areas of interest are Tooth development, Salivary gland malignancies, Oral cancer and DNA repair mechanics. She has around 60 publications in national and internationals journals. She has presented number of papers in various conferences and has been a guest speaker in CDE programs and conferences.
RESEARCH Ongoing:
- Antimicrobial activity of clitoriaternatea extract against oral micro flora:
an invitro study
- Oral microbes in health and disease
- Immunohistochemical evaluation of usp22 expression in ameloblastoma
- Immunohistochemical evaluation of pax9 expression in oscc& ameloblastoma
- Immunohistochemical evalation of ercc1 &muts in ameloblastoma
2024
1.Supraja S, Mohan Kumar Pasupuleti, Kurma Veda Priya, AnuradhaAnanthaneni, VignathaPenumala, Empowering female dentists in India: A modern perspectiv. Volume : 12, Issue : 2, Year : 2024
2.H. AparnaLatha , VatsalayaKommalapati , S. Deva Kumar , , BandelaRajasekhar , Radiomorphometric analysis of frontal sinus for gender determination in rayalseema (oral amd maxillofacial pathology journal, volume 15 issue 1 januaryjune 2024)
3.Matsa Priyanka , Sitaram Prasad Kasina , AlluVenkata Reddy , Siva KiranBabuYarlagadda , Veda PriyaKurma , Rama Krishna Alla. Effect of Denture Cleansers on Surface Roughness and Flexural Strength of High Impact Strength Acrylic Denture Base Materials: An In Vitro Study Afr. J. Biomed. Res. Vol. 27(3s) (October 2024); 6285 – 6291.
4.HAparna Latha1 *, Vatsalya Kommalapati2 , Rajasekar Bandela2 , Roger Paul Thota3 Relevance of Apoptosis in Oral Benign and Malignant Tumours – A Systemic Review. RJMS 2024;14(3):103-109.
- H AparnaLatha1 ,Vatsalya Kommalapati2 , S Deva Kumar3 , Bandela Raja Sekhar4 , Dasari Ramya1Tumor Immunity – A Systematic Review . RJMS 2024;14(2):110-114.
6.M.Vijaya Lakshmi1, B. Rajasekhar1, Vishwaprakash Shetty1, A. Jacob Prakash1, T.Madhusudhan Rao1, H. Aparna Latha1, Histomorphometric analysis of lichen planus and lichenoid lesions – Retrospective study. J Oral Maxillofac Pathology 2024 Oct-Dec;28(4):570-575. doi: 10.4103/jomfp.jomfp_29_24. Epub 2024 Dec 31
2023
1.Chelikani A, Ananthaneni A, Kumar AJ, Srinivas GV. Metastatic Follicular Carcinoma Of Thyroid: A Rare Case Report. International Journal of Medical Science and Current Research, 2023: 6 (2); 1048-52.
2.Anuradha A, Undavalli SB, Kumar AJ. DNA mutilation: A telltale sign of cancer inception. J Oral MaxillofacPathol 2023;27:374-81.
3.Apoorva CC, Ananthaneni A, Kumar AJ, Guduru VS, Puneeth HK. Evaluation of USP22 and Ki‑67 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma: An immunohistochemical study. J Oral MaxillofacPathol 2023;27:679-84.
4.Vatsalya Kommalapati, H AparnaLatha, Bandela Raja Sekhar, S Deva Kumar, DasariRamya, Immunologically mediated diseases of the oral cavity- a systameti review (RJMS 2023;13(4):164-168).
5.SuprajaSalwaji, AnuradhaAnanthaneni, PuneethHorattiKuberappa, BhavanaBagalad, Mohan Kumar Pasupuleti, Vijay SrinivasGuduru, ‘Fractal Analysis of Nuclear Architecture in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Using Transmission Electron Microscopy: An Original Research Article’ in Meandros Medical And Dental Journal · December 2023 DOI: 10.4274/meandros.galenos.2023.33349
2022
1.Dr. DivyaKanthiKolli, Dr. A. Anuradha, Dr. G. ViayaSrinivas, Dr. K. Veda Priya, Dr.BhavanaBagalad, Dr.Puneeth, Stromal changes in oral squamous cell carcinoma and field cancerization. IJDSIR :Volume – 5, Issue – 2, March – 2022, Page No. : 376 – 387.
2021
1.Hadassah TN, Ananthaneni A, Puneeth HK, Kumar AJ, “Plasmacytoma of Mandible – A Case Report and Review.” IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS), 2021: 20 (8); 58-65.
2.Plasmacytoma of Mandible – A Case Report and Review. IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 20, Issue 8 Ser.7 (August. 2021), PP 58-65
3.Dr.VedaPriya, Giant Cell Fibroma – A Case Report; Quest Journal of Medical and Dental Research Received 01 September, 2021; Revised: 12 September, 2021; Accepted 14 September, 2021 © The author(s) 2021
4.Dr.Veda Priya , Dr.VijaySrinivas, Dr.Anuradha, Dr.Vignatha Quantitative analysis of serum retinol in oral squamous cell carcinoma – A case control study IJDSIR : Volume – 4, Issue – 5, October – 2021, Page No. : 134 – 143.