Oral Medicine / Orofacial Pain

Certain oral medical conditions can present difficult diagnostic and treatment challenges. Therefore, we are pleased to offer to you, our medical and dental community, and your patients the expertise and experience of the Oral Medicine and Orofacial Pain Program at the Medical College of Georgia.

This facility is staffed by faculty doctors who have extensive professional expertise and experience in all aspects of oral medicine and orofacial pain and clinical oral pathology. We are the only such center in the Southeast and are excited to offer this service to you and your patients.

We provide a broad range of diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of:

• Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD)
  Symptoms include headaches, stiff or sore jaw, chewing discomfort, and facial and tooth pain and may be associated with tooth-grinding habits, trouble sleeping, and muscle stiffness in the neck and shoulders. Whiplash related injuries from motor vehicle accidents also can be a cause.
• Sensory (neuropathic pain) and Movement Disorders
  These include tics, parafunctional disorders, and focal dystonias.
• Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS)
  This often affects the tongue, palate, and/or lips and is associated with symptoms including burning, dryness, and altered taste.
• Taste & Smell Disorders
• Atypical Orofacial and Tooth Pain
• Facial and Trigeminal Neuralgias
• Oral Cancer
• Oral Complications from Cancer Treatment
• Oral Changes of Systemic Diseases
• Salivary Gland Dysfunction (Sjogren*s S yndrome and I131)
• Infectious and Inflammatory Conditions
• Viral, Bacterial and Fungal Infections
• Benign Growths of the Oral Cavity
• Canker Sores (Aphthous Ulcers)
• Bad Breath (Halitosis)
• Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)
• Sleep Breathing Disorders (Sleep Apnea)
• Oral Mucosal Diseases and Dermatologic Conditions of the oral cavity (Lichen Planus, Pemphigoid, Pemphigus)
• Migraine and Headache Disorders

Our Approach

We use a multidisciplinary approach to expertly diagnose and treat these orofacial pain, orofacial sensory disturbances, and oral mucosal diseases. Additionally, the team collaborates with all dental disciplines, including periodontics, endodontics, and oral surgery as well as a number of medical disciplines, including ENT, dermatology, oncology, neurology, hematology, radiology, surgery, and psychiatry.

Oral Medicine

Fax 706-721-8349 - Referral required. Referrals must be faxed to the Dental Practice Group from the referring dentist or physician before an appointment can be scheduled. The fax should include the patient’s name, address, contact phone number, date of birth, and tooth number to be treated. When the fax is received, the patient will be contacted and an appointment will be made. Located in Clinic #15 on the third floor. Go to the right off the elevator through Clinic #14 and through the double doors to the patient waiting area.

Dr. Scott DeRossi

Dr. DeRossi is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Medicine. He has been treating patients and training students and residents in all facets of oral medicine for the past 12 years. He was program director of the oral medicine residency program at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center prior to joining MCG as Chairman of the Department of Oral Diagnosis. MORE INFO | SDEROSSI@mail.mcg.edu

Dr. Wayne Herman

Dr. Herman has 40 years of experience in dental practice, the last 13 of which were at the MCG School of Dentistry. He has worked in a large number of hospital and outpatient facilities. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Medicine and is active in the American Academy of Oral Medicine. MORE INFO | WHERMAN@mcg.edu