Welcome to the Department of Diagnostic and Preventive Sciences at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. Our department is home to five divisions: Community Dentistry, Dental Hygiene, Periodontology, Oral Pathology, and Oral Diagnosis and Radiology, each contributing unique expertise while sharing a common commitment to student success. Together, our faculty provide an educational experience that challenges students to think critically, embrace lifelong learning, and develop the skills needed to provide exceptional patient care.
Beyond the classroom and clinic, our Community Dentistry Division provides opportunities for students to engage with communities across Oklahoma through externships, outreach, prevention programs, and patient education initiatives. These experiences reinforce the profound impact oral healthcare professionals can have on the lives of individuals, families, and communities.
Students in the Dental Hygiene Division benefit from hands-on learning that connects classroom knowledge with real-world clinical experience. Through simulation laboratories and patient-care clinics, students build the clinical expertise and patient education skills needed to provide preventive oral healthcare with confidence. The program emphasizes a comprehensive care model, with dental hygiene and dental students working alongside one another in clinical settings that reflect modern dental practice. Our faculty bring diverse clinical, educational, research, and professional experience to the classroom and clinic while providing individualized guidance through a structured mentoring system. Distance-learning technology also connects students across multiple Oklahoma sites, ensuring consistent access to the same curriculum and faculty expertise regardless of location.
The Oral Diagnosis and Radiology Division provides students with the foundation needed to evaluate patients, interpret diagnostic findings, and utilize imaging technologies to support comprehensive treatment planning. Through hands-on experiences and exposure to contemporary diagnostic methods, students develop the clinical judgment and confidence necessary to provide accurate diagnoses and deliver high-quality patient care throughout their careers.
The Oral Pathology Division helps students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize, diagnose, and understand diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial region. Through coursework, clinical experiences, and consultation services, students learn the critical role pathology plays in identifying disease, guiding treatment decisions, and improving patient outcomes.
In the Periodontology Division, students discover how to protect and restore the foundation of a healthy smile through the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease. From their first year, students engage in hands-on, partner-based clinical learning that builds confidence, clinical judgment, and a patient-centered approach to care. Guided by an all-board-certified faculty, students develop the critical-thinking skills and professionalism needed to become compassionate, well-rounded clinicians. Students also have opportunities to assist with and observe procedures in the Graduate Periodontics surgical program, gaining exposure to hard- and soft-tissue surgery, laser therapy, and implant surgery, further strengthening their clinical experience.
We are honored that you are considering the OU College of Dentistry and invite you to learn more about the Department of Diagnostic and Preventive Sciences. We look forward to being part of your professional journey.
Sincerely,
Farah Masood, BDS, DDS, MS
Chair, Department of Diagnostic and Preventive Sciences
OU College of Dentistry