Dr Haizal Hussaini
Dr Haizal Hussaini is an oral pathologist with research interests in oral cancer. He is an Associate Professor in Oral Pathology and the head of the discipline at the University of Otago. Previously, he was with the Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Malaysia (UKM) for 17 years.
During his tenure in Malaysia, he was the head of the department and was appointed as associate professor and deputy dean of postgraduate, research, and international studies at the Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Malaysia.
He leads the Oral Molecular and Immunology research group under the Sir John Walsh Research Institute, University of Otago. His current research involves translational research, leading an inter-faculty research team (Dentistry and Pharmacy) and Otago Innovation on developing immunotherapy for endodontic practice.
At the international level, Dr Haizal Hussaini is the immediate past regional councillor for Australasia for the International Association of Oral Pathologists (IAOP) and a member of the Odontogenic Tumour International Consortium.
Dentist Programme
Honey, I shrunk the biopsy!
You don’t have to be routinely doing a biopsy procedure to appreciate this lecture. Biopsy and diagnostic histopathology play a critical role in diagnosing and managing various dental pathological conditions/diseases. Biopsy involves the removal of a small tissue sample from a lesion or abnormality in the mouth, which is then analyzed under a microscope to determine its nature and origin. This procedure is commonly used to diagnose oral cancer, precancerous lesions, and other pathological conditions of the oral cavity.
In this lecture, we will explore and examine some technical errors, pre and post-analytical, of diagnostic oral pathology to improve patient management outcomes. There will be example cases that will be discussed to illustrate the repercussions of these errors. There will be cases regarding oral cancer and the emphasis on early recognition and detection of oral cancer.
Diagnostic histopathology is an essential tool in dental practice, allowing dentists and oral surgeons to diagnose and treat various dental diseases accurately. Proper biopsy technique and correct diagnosis may play a critical role in the timely detection of early malignancies, which can significantly improve patient outcomes. Dental practitioners should know the indications and errors for biopsy and be proficient in executing biopsy or refer when appropriate to provide the best possible care for their patients.