Oral pathology services in New Zealand
Oral pathology services in New Zealand first started when Professor Frank Shroff established an oral pathology diagnostic service within the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, in 1946.
Professor Shroff was an internationally-esteemed oral pathologist and a forensic odontologist who was a Consultant to the World Health Organisation. He produced multiple ground-breaking research papers, particular in the area of the response of the dento-pulpal complex to caries and restorations.
In 1967, he produced a booklet entitled Dental Examination of Human Remains, which later became the reference book for New Zealand Police forensic odontologists.
His first specimens were received on the 27 November 1946 and numbered four; the laboratory he established now serves the entire New Zealand as a specialist reference centre and receives around 3,000 specimens per year.
Past pathologists
- Professor Alistair Smillie BDS MDS PhD (1972–1995)
Head of the Oral Pathology Centre - Professor Malcolm McMillan BDS MDS PhD (1986–1995)
Head of the Oral Pathology Centre - Professor Tom Kardos BDS MDS PhD FFOP (RCPA) (1970–2013)
- Professor Alison Rich BDS MDS PhD FRACDS FFOP (RCPA) FRCPath (1996–2023)
Head of the Oral Pathology Centre - Mr Norman Firth BDS MDS FFOP (RCPA) (1996–2015)
- Dr Benedict Seo BDS DClinDent PhD (2012–current)
Head of the Oral Pathology Centre - Dr Haizal Hussaini BDS MDS PhD (2015–current)