This lecture provides insights into the challenging diagnosis of fibro-osseous lesions, which encompass a spectrum of conditions ranging from reactive lesions to benign neoplasms. It will highlight the difficulties in diagnosing these lesions due to their considerable morphological overlap. The presentation emphasizes the importance of integrating microscopic analysis with clinical context and radiological features to achieve an accurate diagnosis.

Merva Soluk Tekkesin is a Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology at the Istanbul University. She completed her dental school training in 2003, residency in Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology, as well as her PhD in Tumour Pathology at Oncology Institute in 2010. She was an overseas training at King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, and Department of Head&Neck/Oral Pathology and was the first Tier5 International Training Fellow to complete training in Dentistry in the UK in 2010. She served as European Councillor of International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist (IAOP) between 2014-2020 and has been assigned as the first Digital Communication Officer in the Executive Committee of the same organization until 2026. Her main interests are odontogenic lesions, fibro-osseous lesions, oral potentially malignant disorders and digital pathology, AI. She has many international publications and book chapters, including WHO Classification of Head and Neck Tumors. She was awarded with 2019 Turkish Academy of Science, Outstanding Young Scientist Award in the field of medical sciences. 

Synopsis: This presentation will describe the utility and efficacy of using Optiscan’s confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) for real-time on-the-fly diagnosis of oral cancer and precancerous mucosal pathology. The presentation will showcase examples of oral mucosal lesions diagnosed with the assistance of CLE and discuss important considerations in real-time interpretation of optical biopsy images. 

BDSc, MDSc (OralMed OralPath), PhD, GCEd (HE), GCExLead, MBA, MAICD, AFCHSM, CHM, FRACDS (OralMed), FOMAA, FIAOO, FICD, FPFA, FAIM, FLWA

Professor Camile Farah is a dual registered specialist in oral medicine and oral & maxillofacial pathology. In addition, he is currently Chief Executive Officer of Optiscan Imaging Ltd (ASX:OIL), an Australian publicly listed medical devices company which develops, manufactures, and commercialises digital pathology and precision surgery hardware and software solutions enabling live optical biopsy for diagnostic and surgical applications. At Optiscan’s core is its patent-protected portfolio of miniatured confocal laser endomicroscopes that allow immediate informed clinical decisions based on real-time microscopic imaging of tissue. Camile holds various degrees and fellowships in pathology, oncology, higher education, business management and leadership, and is a prolific author and international speaker. His specific research interest lies at the junction between optical imaging and molecular genomics in head and neck pathology.

Professor and Head of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology at Ragas Dental College

Secretary of the International Association of Oral Pathologist (IAOP)

Chairperson of the Fellowship Committee of the Indian

Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology. 

Kannan Ranganathan is a highly accomplished Professor and Head of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology at Ragas Dental College in Chennai.

He completed his BDS in 1987 from Madras University, his MDS in 1990 from The Tamil DR MGR Medical University, and his MS in 1996 from Ohio State University in the USA. He also obtained his PhD in 2010 from The Tamil DR MGR Medical University.

e completed his fellowship exam of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (1995) and the Indian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologists (2010). He has held several prestigious positions in the field of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, including President of the Indian Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology and President of the Asian Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (ASOMP).

Currently, he serves as the Secretary of the International Association of Oral Pathologist (IAOP) and as the Chairperson of the Fellowship Committee of the Indian Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology. 

He has published 164 articles as an author and 133 articles as a co-author. He has also contributed to five textbooks and contributed to the 2022 WHO Publication on Classification of Tumors.

Professor and Head of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology at Ragas Dental College

Secretary of the International Association of Oral Pathologist (IAOP)

Chairperson of the Fellowship Committee of the Indian

Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology. 

Kannan Ranganathan is a highly accomplished Professor and Head of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology at Ragas Dental College in Chennai.

He completed his BDS in 1987 from Madras University, his MDS in 1990 from The Tamil DR MGR Medical University, and his MS in 1996 from Ohio State University in the USA. He also obtained his PhD in 2010 from The Tamil DR MGR Medical University.

e completed his fellowship exam of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (1995) and the Indian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologists (2010). He has held several prestigious positions in the field of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, including President of the Indian Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology and President of the Asian Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (ASOMP).

Currently, he serves as the Secretary of the International Association of Oral Pathologist (IAOP) and as the Chairperson of the Fellowship Committee of the Indian Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology. 

He has published 164 articles as an author and 133 articles as a co-author. He has also contributed to five textbooks and contributed to the 2022 WHO Publication on Classification of Tumors.

Abstract

Neurotrophins (NTs) and Neurotrophin Receptors (NTRs) have robust effects on proliferation, differentiation, migration, survival, and synapse formation through physiologic regulatory signals. Dysregulation of such neurotrophic factors not only results in various age-related degenerative conditions but also paves the way to oncogenesis and metastasis in cancers of neuronal and non-neuronal tissues. In the last few years, exciting reports have emerged regarding the molecular signaling pathways of neurotrophins and neurotrophin receptors in numerous cancers, including breast, lung, colon-rectum, pancreas, prostate, glioblastoma, neuroblastoma, myeloma, and lymphoid tumors. Recently, targeting neurotrophin receptors is the promising treatment to suppress cancer and metastasis. Their spatial and time-bound expression were also elucidated in event like odontogenesis and cells of periodontal ligament. Unraveling the molecular signaling events of NTs and NTRs in head and neck tumors will help in elucidating the molecular pathogenesis and therefore, pave a path to develop targeted therapies.

Dr. Yoithap Prabhunath, TR, completed his graduation and Doctoral degrees from Annamalai University, India, and is currently working as a Professor at Vivekanandha Dental College for Women. He is a recognized PhD guide at various universities. His core interest is odontogenesis & tumor biology of ameloblastoma. He has been awarded the best scientific research paper award seven times at international and national conferences and has delivered guest lectures on various scientific platforms. Three times, he was recognized as a guide by ICMR for mentoring students in the ICMR-Short Term Student scholarship program. He was also awarded the “Best Researcher – Oral Pathology” award by Saveetha Dental college.

Dr. Dale A. Miles DDS, MS, FRCD (C)

Diplomate, ABOM and ABOMR

“1 in 10 adults worldwide has diabetes”1  One source claims that 88 million people in the US have pre-diabetes2 and 84% of them do not know it. Dentists have many patients with both diagnosed and undiagnosed type II diabetes mellitus in their practices and the clues are in their CBCT scans.

In addition to carotid plaques seen on panoramic radiographs, you can detect more serious calcifications called MAC (medial arterial calcifications) on CBCT images if you know 1). where to look, 2).  what to look for and 3). what image processing tools to apply to enhance the findings. 

Early detection of disease helps the patient’s primary care physician’s diagnosis and could, in some cases, save the patient’s life. Early detection will also enhance the quality of the diabetic patient’s life and possibly prevent many below the knee amputations. 

Learn to recognize key radiographic features in your cone beam images of one of the most common and often undetected medical problems - Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. 

Objectives

At the completion of this program dentists will understand:

what segments of the internal carotid arteries are imaged in their CBCT scan

Where to look for calcifications in the various segments of the internal carotid arteries

How to separate intimal plaques and MAC on both panoramic and CBCT images

How to use image processing tools to make the changes more apparent

1. IDF Atlas, 10th edition, December 2021

2. https://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/pre-diabetes/pre- diabetes#%20What%20is%20Prediabetes?

Dr. Miles was Chair of the Department of Oral Health Sciences at the University of Kentucky, the graduate program director of Diagnostic Sciences at Indiana University, and has held positions at the University of Connecticut and Dalhousie University, and the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ASDOH). He was the first Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs at ASDOH. A diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology and the American Board of Oral Medicine, Dr. Miles has been selected as one of the “TOP CLINICANS IN CE” for the past 16 years by Dentistry Today. He has authored over 140 scientific articles, 6 radiology textbooks and the best-selling atlas on cone beam imaging, "Atlas of Cone Beam Imaging for Dental Applications". He has a web site for teaching the dental team cone beam imaging at www.doctorconebeam.com. Dr. Miles currently has a full-time practice in Fountain Hills, AZ and an adjunct professorship at the Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine in El Paso, Texas. To date he has read close to 40,000 cone beam scans.

Did you know that adults working full-time miss more work from head and face pain than any other site of pain? Orofacial pain interferes with eating, communication, personal expression and can deeply affect an individual’s functional and psychological well-being. The high prevalence, personal impact, and poor access to effective treatments creates an expanded role for dentists in today’s health care system. 

Treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), like many pain conditions, is often singular and varied, and in large part is based on the clinician’s favorite theory of etiology. As a result, treatment outcomes are compromised, due to limited approaches that only address part of the problem.  Appropriate treatment should be based on clearly defined treatment objectives that are consistent with a specific diagnosis for each patient. This requires a paradigm shift and a multidisciplinary approach. 

Dr. Suzie Bergman is a devoted dental practitioner and educator, passionate about improving healthcare outcomes for patients. She has 30 years’ experience spanning clinical care, post-doctoral education, research, advocacy and infrastructure for patients suffering from temporomandibular disorders (TMD’s). Dr. Bergman is a Selection Chairperson, Advisor and Honorary Program Faculty Member, and Fellow of the TMJ Foundation’s online fellowship program, FTMJF. She lectures internationally as a tenured instructor for McGann Postgraduate School of Dentistry and Progressive Orthodontic Seminars. She is a curriculum developer, consultant and the author of an orthodontic handbook. Dr. Bergman is a visiting scholar at Oregon Health Science University in the department of Neurosurgery, where she is a co-investigator in research surrounding the differential diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia and TMD’s.

Abstract 

We discovered that cell-projections can inject their contents into neighboring cells, by a hydrodynamic mechanism we term 'cell-projection pumping' (CPP). The effect on cancer cell phenotype of CPP from co-cultured fibroblasts was studied by: FACS cell sorting; single-cell tracking of fluorescence and phase contrast time-lapse recordings; and a novel Cartesian plot image analysis method. Relative to cancer cells with low fibroblast labeling, cancer cells with high fibroblast content had: increased cell volume; increased internal complexity; increased cell-profile area; and reduced cell circularity. This suggests that CPP contributes appreciably to pleomorphism, an important diagnostic and prognostic indicator. Also, uptake of fibroblast contents increased cancer cell proliferation, which is relevant to tumor growth. Further, there was increased cancer cell migration, suggesting CPP contributes to invasion and metastasis. We argue that CPP is an important source of cancer cell diversity independent of genetic events, and propose CPP as a novel therapeutic target.

Professor and Honorary Associate, Biomedical Engineering, University of Sydney

Director and Head of Strongarch Pty Ltd.

After some years of rural dental service, Prof Zoellner trained originally in dentistry and completed a PhD exploring vascular changes in chronic periodontitis. He has worked in universities and research institutes across three continents: He had post-doctoral experience in the Department of Medicine at Royal Melbourne Hospital and as a Lise Meitner Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Physiology at the University of Vienna. He spent one and a half years as a visiting researcher in Cell Biology at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. His research spans experimental and oral pathology to aspects of public health and, more recently, dental robotics.

He rose from appointment as lecturer in Oral Pathology at the University of Sydney to holding a Personal Chair as a full Professor. He has trained as a junior registrar in anatomical and oral pathology at the Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research but is not a registered clinical oral pathologist. He serves as an examiner in Pathology for the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons.

He was co-founder and Chairman of a think-tank and advocacy group for Oral Health (APOH) for ten years. Concerned by university changes that he believes threaten academic quality and function, he now collaborates with a network of colleagues advocating for improved academic governance.

Prof Zoellner is a freelance academic and director of Strongarch Pty Ltd and holds honorary appointments as a professor at the NSW University Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering and the University of Sydney.

Professor and Senior Consultant in Oral Pathology

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Clinical Sciences

Associate Dean / International affairs

Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya

Malaysia

Past President: International Association of Oral Pathologists

Bio: 

Professor WM Tilakaratne is currently attached to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya. He has held many academic and professional positions in the past three decades. Including Professor of Oral Pathology at the Queen Mary University of London and visiting Professor to universities around the globe; the former Dean, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya Sri Lanka, and past president of the International Association of Oral Pathologists. He is a researcher of high repute and listed in the best 2% of world Scientists by Stanford University. Any oral cancer and precancer review will include at least a few of his articles. He has published over 160 papers with an H-index of 41, written two textbooks, and contributed to many internationally recognized books. He is an Editor for the latest WHO classification on Head and neck tumours, and IARC handbook on Oral cancer.

Liquid biopsy, a groundbreaking technique in oral diagnosis, has revolutionized the way we detect and monitor diseases in the head and neck region. Unlike traditional tissue biopsies that require invasive procedures, liquid biopsy offers a non-invasive approach by analyzing various biomarkers in bodily fluids like saliva, blood, or even cerebrospinal fluid. This method has gained significant attention due to its potential to detect genetic alterations, circulating tumor cells, and cell-free DNA, providing valuable insights into the molecular profile of tumors and other pathological conditions. Liquid biopsy holds immense promise in early cancer detection, treatment monitoring, and personalized medicine in oral diagnosis. It enables clinicians to track disease progression, assess treatment response, and identify potential drug resistance mechanisms more efficiently. Moreover, its non-invasive nature makes it a preferable option for patients, reducing discomfort and risk associated with conventional biopsy procedures. Liquid biopsy is poised to play a pivotal role in improving diagnostic accuracy.

Dr. Khushali Shah, a dedicated dental professional, completed her BDS in 2018 and MDS in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology in 2022. She also holds a Forensic Odontology Fellowship (2023) from SDM College of Dental Sciences, Dharwad. Currently an Assistant Professor at K.M. Shah Dental College & Hospital, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth Vadodara, Dr. Shah's research focuses on early oral squamous cell carcinoma diagnosis for better patient outcomes. Her commitment is evident through academic achievements, clinical contributions, and ongoing research, all while nurturing a passion for teaching and mentoring future dental professionals.

Abstract: Verruco Papillary lesions comprise a diverse spectrum of pathologies with a clinical presentation that provides an array of histopathologic diagnoses ranging from hyperkeratosis to oral squamous cell carcinoma. The most important way to reach an accurate diagnosis would be a good clinico pathologic correlation and hence the emphasis should be on providing optimum clinical details to the pathologists, which is usually not provided.

The current presentation will highlight few interesting cases which posed a diagnostic dilemma. Further ,the importance of thoroughly studying deep sections wherever necessary along with a systematic way to diagnosis is discussed.

Dr. Adithya is the Senior Professor and Head of the Department of Oral Pathology at the Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi. He earned her BDS from Government Dental College, Bangalore in 1996, and her MDS from A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore in 2000. With 24 years of teaching experience, she specializes in oral cancer diagnostics and related pathologies.

Dr. Adithya supervises significant research in oral pathology, has published around 110 papers, and actively contributes to the academic community as a peer reviewer and co-editor of journals. She also participates as a guest speaker, examiner, and committee member at various academic and ethical boards. A life member of both the Indian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and the Indian Society of Dental Research, Dr. Adithya continues to influence the field of oral pathology significantly.

Past President, World & North American Association for Photobiomodulation Therapy

Bio- Dr. Praveen Arany is an accomplished dentist and oral pathologist, trained at Harvard University as a Harvard Presidential Scholar. His extensive background includes a joint PhD-Residency program, certificates in clinical translational research from Harvard Medical School and the NIH, and several prestigious postdoctoral fellowships. Since 2015, he has served as an Associate Professor with tenure at the University at Buffalo, School of Dental Medicine. He holds adjunct positions in various institutes, including the National Institute of Aging and University at Buffalo’s Department of Surgery and Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Arany has over 125 scientific publications, cited over 7300 times. His research, particularly in Photobiomodulation Therapy, focuses on low-dose light treatments for pain, inflammation, and tissue regeneration. He has co-founded four biotechnology companies, translating lab research into clinical solutions. He is a recipient of numerous awards, including the NCI Director's Young Investigator Award and serves in leadership roles in several scientific societies.

Dr. Allan Dovigi, DDS, MS, is a distinguished clinician scientist and an entrepreneurial leader in the field of oral pathology. Currently the Co-founder and CEO of Stem Cell Implants in San Diego, California, Dr. Dovigi has an extensive background that spans clinical practice and innovative research. He formerly served as the Director of Histology/Pathology at Stemson Therapeutics and Lab Director at Oral Pathology Diagnostic Services in San Diego, as well as Oral Medicine clinician at Oralast Health and Wellness in Scottsdale, Arizona. With an academic tenure as an Associate Professor of Oral Pathology at Midwestern University School of Dentistry in Glendale, Arizona, and foundational roles including Founder and Lab Director of Arizona Oral Pathology, Dr. Dovigi has a profound grasp on the pathogenesis of oral conditions. He holds an MS in Oral Pathology from the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry and a DDS from the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry. Dr. Dovigi's insights into the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus are informed by a career dedicated to advancing oral health through research and clinical excellence.

Professor Oral Medicine

Dean & Principal

Bharati Vidyapeeth / Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University Dental College Navi Mumbai

Dr. Eleni Georgakopoulou, an esteemed Oral Medicine Specialist with a rich academic background from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the Eastman Dental Institute, UCL, is a pioneering force in integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into oral cancer detection and management. As a Post-Doctoral Researcher and an elected representative to the Hellenic Dental Federation, her work focuses on leveraging AI to enhance early detection of precancerous conditions and advance remote diagnostic innovations. Dr. Georgakopoulou’s commitment to advancing oral medicine through research and technology aims to significantly transform patient care and outcomes.

The current World Health Organisation definition of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) is ‘a heterogenous group of clinically-defined conditions associated with a variable risk of progression to oral squamous carcinoma (OSCC). Most produce clinically visible lesions’ . These clinical conditions need a biopsy to assess the degree of dysplasia, if any.  When the pathologist has assessed the histology it should be correlated with the clinical features and an overall diagnosis can be established for the lesion at that particular point in time. The intent is that this ‘holistic’ diagnosis provides the clinician managing the patient with the best information available to judge whether or not this lesion will be one that will eventually progress to OSCC. It cannot be overemphasised that while the histology is important, it has to be interpreted in light of the clinical situation and an inadequate history and/or lack of clinical photographs hinders the development of a complete histological report.  Using this philosophy, various aspects of  OPMD will be illustrated and discussed. 

Professor Emeritus Alison Rich has recently retired as Professor of Oral Pathology at the  Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, New Zealand and Head of the Department of Pathology at the Dunedin Medical School.  Alison is a registered specialist in oral pathology in New Zealand and was Head of the Oral Pathology Centre, the oral pathology diagnostic service run by the University of Otago.  She is the President of the International Association for Oral Pathology and past Chair and past Chief Examiner of the Faculty of Oral Pathology, Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia. 

Her research interests relate mainly to oral cancer she was the Leader of the Oral Molecular and Immunopathology Group at the Faculty of Dentistry. She was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2023. 

Professor Asmaa Faden is a highly accomplished Professor of Oral Medicine at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University. With a PhD in Oral Medicine from the prestigious Eastman Dental Institute- UCL/ University of London, and Master’s and Bachelors’ degrees from King Saud University- Saudi Arabia, Professor Faden has a wealth of knowledge and experience in her field.

For over 25 years, Professor Faden has been deeply involved in teaching theoretical and practical aspects of Oral Medicine and Pathology to both Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Students. She has also gained significant administrative experience during this time.

A founding member of the Saudi Board of Oral Medicine and Pathology in Saudi Arabia (SBOMP), Professor Faden served as the Program Director at King Saud University. She is also an active member of many National and International Dental Societies and has published numerous articles in highly-regarded scientific journals.