Department of Diagnosis & Oral Health (DXOH)
With expertise in a wide range of oral health disciplines, DXOH faculty members instruct students and residents across programs including dental hygiene, DMD and advanced education.
Sidebar
The Department of Diagnosis & Oral Health supports the overall mission of the University of Louisville School of Dentistry across multiple disciplines and programs ranging from bachelor's level to PhD.
What students learn in DXOH courses
Diagnosis of Oral Health Conditions
Education in evidence-based diagnosis, including oral pathology, general pathology, systemic disease and patient screening.
Oral & Maxillofacial Imaging
Use of X-rays, 3D scans and other imaging to aid in diagnosis and treatment of oral health conditions.
Maintenance of Oral Health
Best practices for maintaining and improving oral health for recall patients, including those with periodontal disease.
DXOH academic programs
The Division of Radiology & Imaging Sciences is a hub of digital innovation and diagnostic excellence within the University of Louisville School of Dentistry. Our mission is to integrate cutting-edge imaging technology with clinical education and patient care, preparing the next generation of dental professionals to lead in a digital world.
Beyond standard diagnostics, our division spearheads the School of Dentistry's initiatives in Digital Dentistry and 3D Medical Modeling. We provide critical support for complex treatment planning, craniofacial reconstruction, and implantology through advanced visualization techniques.
Faculty
The division is led by internationally recognized experts in oral and maxillofacial radiology. Their recent scholarship focuses on radiation dosimetry, image quality optimization, and the integration of AI in dental diagnostics.
William C. Scarfe, BDS, FRACDS, MS
Professor
Dr. Scarfe is a leading authority on CBCT technology. His research emphasizes practical clinical guidelines and radiation safety.
Profile: profiles.louisville.edu/william.scarfe
Gustavo Santaella, DDS, MS, PhD
Assistant Professor
Dr. Santaella specializes in the technical parameters of imaging systems, focusing on how different reconstruction algorithms and phantom models can improve diagnostic outcomes.
Profile: profiles.louisville.edu/gustavo.santaella
Christiano de Oliveira Santos, DDS, MSc, PhD
Assistant Professor
Dr. Santos explores the intersection of emerging technologies and radiology, including the use of the metaverse in education and patient perceptions of AI.
DMD students receive training in endodontics in the DMD program. In addition, we offer an advanced education program training endodontics residents.
Education in periodontics is provided throughout the DMD and dental hygiene program curriculum. We also offer an advanced education program training periodontics residents.
Our four-year BS in Dental Hygiene program provides a comprehensive education to prepare future dental hygienists. Because the program is housed within a school of dentistry, hygiene students learn their skills in a context that emphasizes their important place in the dental health team.
The oral medicine component of our DMD program curriculum makes connections between oral health and systemic health, specifically as it relates to the diagnosis and management of conditions such as systemic diseases that manifest in the oral cavity, oral infections, mucosal conditions and salivary gland disorders. With this knowledge, the oral health leaders of the future are better able to ensure that patients receive appropriate and timely care.
The pathology components of our DMD program curriculum empower the oral health professionals of the future to confidently identify and diagnose diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial region, including oral cancers, cysts, tumors and inflammatory conditions. With this knowledge, they are better able to diagnose and treat patients on their own and in collaboration with other medical and dental professionals.
Interim Department Chair: F. John Firriolo, DDS, PhD
A professor and consulting dentist in the area of oral medicine and oral pathology, Dr. Firriolo has nearly 40 years of experience in oral diagnosis. His research interests include diagnosis and treatment of oral mucosal disease and salivary gland dysfunction, management of oral complications of cancer treatment and dental management of medically complex patients.
Department contact information
Patient appointment information
Visit our patient care website
Department administrative assistant (not for patient scheduling or patient questions)
Faith Fisher
Phone: 502-852-1208
Email: faith.fisher@louisville.edu
Mailing address
University of Louisville School of Dentistry
Department of Diagnosis & Oral Health
501 S. Preston Street
Rm 021 L
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
DXOH guiding principles
The Department of Diagnosis & Oral Health will support the University of Louisville School of Dentistry in its missions to provide quality dental care to the community; to provide contemporary education and service programs; and with the Research Group in Oral Health and Systemic Disease, to conduct state-of-the-art research to advance dental science.
The Department will share responsibility for creating an environment that will produce competent dental professionals with appropriate social and technical skills and a commitment to life-long learning, scholarship and ethical practice. The Department will support this goal with a balanced program of teaching, scholarship and service activities.
- Provide students with the professional knowledge and skills required for competency in the appropriate discipline-specific clinical procedures.
- Prepare post-doctoral students in the specialty programs of endodontics and periodontics for clinical practice, teaching and/or research.
- Prepare students to successfully challenge mock boards, state and regional boards and national boards.
- Encourage the use of teaching methods that will enhance and foster critical thinking.
- Provide appropriate in-service training and support professional development for faculty and staff.
- Explore new curriculum ideas and implement changes as needed in a timely fashion.
- Promote interdisciplinary cooperation and responsibilities in the didactic and clinical programs for quality education and patient care.
- Support interdisciplinary collaborations between the basic and clinical sciences to advance the treatment of patients through evidence-based approaches.
- Support faculty, staff, and student’s ability to conduct quality basic, clinical and translational research.
- Support faculty and students to seek extramural funding for scholarly activity and research endeavors.
- Support the dissemination of scholarly activity through publication in professional journals, books, proceedings of symposia and presentations of research findings at national and international meetings.
- Support personal development.
- Support presentation of continuing education courses.
- Support active participation in local, state, national and international professional organizations and community, departmental, dental school and university organizations.
- Provide the opportunity for faculty practice or consulting for all full-time faculty in accordance with the School of Dentistry guidelines.
- Support participation with health-oriented groups to improve the health and quality of life in the community.
