Develop specialist expertise in Oral Pathology through advanced diagnostic training, disease science, and research-informed practice.
Why study postgraduate Oral Pathology?
Oral Pathology is the specialist discipline focused on diagnosing diseases of the oral, maxillofacial, and adjacent regions through histopathology, molecular techniques, and clinical correlation. Oral Pathology at Otago combines intensive diagnostic training, academic study, and research to prepare qualified dentists for specialist pathology practice. You’ll develop expertise in diagnostic histopathology, disease interpretation, specimen processing, molecular pathology, and the integration of clinical, radiographic, and microscopic findings.
Training takes place within Otago’s Oral Pathology Centre, New Zealand’s specialist oral pathology diagnostic service, where education is closely connected to real diagnostic practice and research.
Career opportunities
Postgraduate Oral Pathology prepares you for specialist diagnostic, academic, and research pathways across oral disease diagnosis, pathology services, university teaching, and research.
- Specialist diagnosis – interpreting oral and maxillofacial disease in diagnostic practice.
- Pathology services – contributing to hospital, laboratory, or specialist pathology settings.
- Clinical academia – teaching, supervising, and researching oral disease in universities.
- Diagnostic services – supporting oral and maxillofacial clinical decision-making.
- Research careers – advancing knowledge in oral disease or molecular pathology.
What it’s like to study at this level
Postgraduate study in Oral Pathology is clinical, research-focused, and academically rigorous. You’ll combine laboratory-based diagnostic training, case-based learning, seminars, and independent research to develop advanced expertise in oral disease diagnosis and interpretation. Daily participation in specialist laboratory activity provides experience in specimen handling, histopathological assessment, and molecular diagnostic techniques.
Research is an integral part of the doctoral programme, culminating in a supervised thesis that strengthens scientific evaluation, diagnostic reasoning, and your ability to contribute to advances in oral disease diagnosis and pathology.
This is for you if ...
This programme is designed for qualified dentists seeking specialist training in Oral Pathology, with strong analytical capability, attention to detail, and an interest in diagnostic science, pathology, and evidence-based specialist practice.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (PGDipClinDent)
A one-year programme (two-years with part-time study) employing clinical and academic teaching to emphasise the full nature of dental practice
Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (DClinDent)
An advanced postgraduate degree that prepares graduates to become registered specialists in their chosen discipline
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
More information
For more information about Oral Pathology at Otago, visit the Faculty of Dentistry website:
Oral Pathology at the Faculty of Dentistry
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
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