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1. Ensure students have a detailed knowledge of the normal anatomy and histology of the teeth, the jaw bones, oral soft tissues and the salivary glands
2. Ensure students have a knowledge of core pathological processes affecting the body at an organ and particularly the tissue level
3. Provide students with a detailed knowledge of the pathology and histopathological diagnosis of diseases affecting the teeth, the jaw bones, the oral soft tissues and the salivary glands
4. Provide students with a clinical perspective to oral disease processes
5. Provide student with the necessary knowledge and skills in relation to tissue handling, processing and report writing
6. Provide training and experience in research relevant to the discipline
7. Encourage interdisciplinary management of patients
8. To produce oral and maxillofacial pathologists who can ultimately practice unsupervised in oral pathology, contributing to comprehensive, safe and high 
quality dental (and medical) care, including in the general roles required for routine dental practice and within the ethical standards of the profession and the community.

• Full ³ÉÈË´óƬ library resources • Access to Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Diagnosis clinics and Special Needs Clinics, Adelaide Dental Hospital • Access to Head & Neck Clinic, Royal Adelaide Hospital • Access to case notes and archival histopathology slide collections in Oral Pathology • Access to anatomical pathology cases and rotations through pathology laboratories

The program is divided into two principal components:

1. Structured Program
Research methods, experimental design and ethics
Coursework - Clinical experience; Professional development

2. Research
Research seminars; Research training ; Research project.

STRUCTURED PROGRAM
Research methods, experimental design and ethics:

A series of lectures, seminars and workshops that provide an introduction to research literature, research methods, critical thought, management of research data, ethics and other topics that are needed to undertake research training. This part of the programme is presented in an intensive block followed by a series of seminars during the first six months of the program.

Coursework:
Through reading, tutorials, seminars and case discussions students will gain knowledge and understanding in the areas of patient examination, assessment and pathological assessment and diagnosis. Students will also participate in a range of interdisciplinary activities with students from other specialist areas.

Seminars: two diagnostic oral histopathology seminars weekly (where possible in collaboration with Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Registrars and Special Needs Dentistry )

Laboratory and Clinical Rotations: rotations in laboratories at SA Pathology (where possible from second year of the program);rotations in Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Outpatient Clinics, ADH (from second year of the program); attendance at the Head and Neck Clinic, RAH where possible Related Activities;individual histopathology tuition;essays; assignments; seminars on core topics in Oral Pathology; teaching sessions with undergraduates

Tutorials/Seminars - 3 per week 2 hours

Pathology case review/reporting - 5 x 3hr sessions per week

Research - 1 day/week

Occasional attendance at seminars/meeting after hours may be required (e.g. Head and Neck meetings)

1. Preparation, interpretation and reporting of stained tissue sections, including new and archival specimens. This is ongoing throughout the program.

2. Weekly Tutorial Sessions on selected topics in basic pathological sciences and oral pathology themes:

Oral Pathology themes:
• Diseases of the enamel dentine and pulp, gingivae, periodontium and jaws
• Diseases of the oral mucosa and related skin disorders

• Diseases of the bones and joints
of the face
• Salivary gland diseases
• Soft tissue disorders affecting the oral and maxillofacial region

• Lymphoid and haematological disorders involving the oral and maxillofacial region
• Genetic and acquired disorders with oral and maxillofacial manifestations

Basic Pathological Sciences:
• Disorders of cell growth and differentiation
• Healing and repair
• Inflammation
• Neoplasia

Assessment of the Structured Program in Specialist Oral Pathology involves:
Continuous evaluation of performance by staff  satisfactory attendance at and participation in research seminars  regular attendance at research meetings with supervisors  satisfactory progress with research project  evaluation of assigned essays and seminars  completion of logbooks documenting oral and general pathology cases  submission of casebook of 10 cases (see below)  written and practical diagnostic oral histopathology examinations (including case discussion with examiners).

End of 1st year
2 hour written examination in basic pathological principles.

End of 2nd year 
3 hour practical examination in oral pathology (5 cases) plus 1 hour discussion of cases with examiner

End of 3rd year
3 hour practical examination in oral pathology (15 cases).

Satisfactory progress will be assessed based on completion of goals set at the beginning of the candidature including satisfactory completion of examinations.

Casebook
Each case will comprise discussion and clinicopathological correlation of selected oral and (at least 1) general pathology cases. Each report will be no more than 10 pages (single spaced type) and include a bibliography of up to 30 references. Each report will include high quality photographs or illustrations (as appropriate) of macroscopic and microscopic findings as well as include a critical appraisal the cited literature.

Assessment of the Research Component involves:
Completion of the Core Component of Structured Program
Annual Review of Progress
Major Review of Progress
External examination of the thesis.

The final assessment is external examination of the degree by conventional thesis (traditional formation or thesis by publication) or portfolio. The thesis by publication will include a literature review, final manuscripts of two papers describing the results of a research project in a format suitable for publication, and an over-arching discussion. 

Clinical Assessment / Case reports / Log Book

The assessment of this component of the programme is composed of the following:

Formative Review: The emphasis of this program is self-motivated learning and evaluation. However, regular formative review is also held with senior teaching staff. Postgraduate students are assessed continuously throughout their training. Assessment reviews clinical case mix and amount of diagnostic histopathology experience. Deficient areas are discussed and remedied with the postgraduate student. In all years, students are assessed on a continuing basis in the conduct of their diagnostic histopathology activities, case report presentation, presentations of diagnostic histopathology cases seen as well as review of the the case book.

Summative Assessment: Students will receive continuous assessment of their diagnostic histopathology, case presentations and log book. These form the overall assessment and led to the barrier written examinations and viva voce examinations at the end of 2nd Semester.

Case Reports: Twelve “achievement” case presentations are required at the end of the 3rd year. These “achievement” cases are cases selected by the student to highlight their achievements during the program and the range of cases/pathology diagnosed. The principle of the “achievement” cases is to ensure a broad range of clinical cases is obtained and treatment is provided and supported by current research and literature. During each semester, students will be expected to prepare and present their achievement cases. There is an expectation that students present five to six cases each semester, the most comprehensive of these will be included in the “twelve achievement cases” submitted for their final assessment in third year. These case reports will be assessed based on the presentation style, as well as appropriate literature to support their respective management of each case.

Portfolio/Logbook Requirements: Each case will comprise discussion and clinicopathological correlation of selected oral and (at least 1) general pathology cases. Each report will be no more than 10 pages (single spaced type) and include a bibliography of up to 30 references. Reports will include high quality photographs or illustrations (as appropriate) of macroscopic and microscopic findings as well as include a critical appraisal the cited literature. The casebook conforms to the requirements that are outlined in the Royal College of Pathologist of Australasia trainee handbook for Fellowship in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. (NB completion of the DClinDent in Oral Pathology does not qualify for Fellowship with the Faculty of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology)

Assignments / Presentations: In each semester there are a series of traditional didactic teaching seminars. Students will be required to present comprehensive reviews of selected topics as directed on their individual didactic roster. Students will be assessed on their ability to review the literature and prepare an appropriately written, referenced literature review related to the specific topic. In addition, students are expected to present their review in the form of a power point presentation. Both the literature review and the power point presentation will be assessed. A fail in a specific component of the review will result in the need for the student to repeat this until the appropriate standard is achieved. At the conclusion of the review, a viva voce session, or short written assessment may be held to ensure that the topic is fully understood by all students involved. The end of semester examination will assess the specific topics from that semester. In following semesters, examinations will include all relevant information covered by the student to provide a continuous assessment of knowledge related to oral and maxillofacial pathology.

Examinations: Comprehensive internal written and oral examinations are held at the completion of each year. In each year there is a three hour written examination. Students must complete the examination satisfactorily before proceeding to the next semester.

Summary: In order to fulfil the requirements for this course, the student will need to have satisfactorily completed all components of the program. All summative assessments are required to be completed satisfactorily.

Assessment of the Structured Program in Specialist Oral Pathology involves:
• continuous evaluation of performance by staff
• satisfactory presentation and performance in research seminars
• evaluation of assigned essays and seminars
• completion of logbooks documenting oral and general pathology cases
• submission of casebook of 5 cases (see below)
• written and practical diagnostic oral histopathology examinations (including case discussion with examiners). Satisfactory progress will be assessed based on completion of goals set at the beginning of the candidature including satisfactory completion of examinations.

Please refer to MyUni.