Oral Medicine, Orofacial Pain Specialist - Dr. Chizobam Idahosa

07/23/2026

Today is World Sjögren's Day.

As someone who evaluates and treats patients with Sjögren's disease, I see firsthand how this complex autoimmune condition can affect far more than the mouth and eyes. It can impact multiple organ systems and significantly affect quality of life.

Raising awareness, advancing education, supporting ongoing research, and developing new therapies are essential to improving earlier recognition, diagnosis, and care for those living with Sjögren's.

02/17/2026

Dry Mouth Can Be a Medical Issue, Not Just a Dental One

Chronic dry mouth is more than a comfort issue. It can affect speaking, eating, swallowing, oral health, and overall well-being.

Dry mouth may be related to medications, autoimmune conditions such as Sjögren’s syndrome, salivary gland disorders, or other medical factors. Identifying the cause is important for proper management.

A comprehensive evaluation helps address dry mouth as part of a patient’s overall health—not just as a dental symptom.

Persistent dry mouth symptoms may warrant a medical-level assessment, particularly when associated with medications or autoimmune conditions.

Appointments are available by referral or self-request.

01/21/2026

Burning Mouth Syndrome – When Exams Look Normal

Burning mouth syndrome is characterized by a persistent burning, tingling, or painful sensation in the mouth, often without visible findings on routine exams.

Although the mouth may appear healthy, symptoms are very real and can significantly affect quality of life. Evaluation focuses on identifying any contributing medical, autoimmune, neurologic, hormonal, or medication-related factors.

A thoughtful diagnostic approach helps validate symptoms and guide appropriate management, even when traditional exams are normal.

Persistent oral burning or discomfort can adversely affect quality of life. Specialty evaluation may help identify contributing factors.

Appointments are available by appointment or self-request.

12/09/2025

Why write a book about God’s love?

Because everything starts here.

Our healing, our identity, our security, our ability to love others—all of it is rooted in how deeply we know we are loved by God.

Loved is my journey of receiving that truth and letting it transform me from the inside out.

I pray it does the same for you. 💗

Learn more and order a copy: https://beautifulinjesus.com/loved/

06/04/2025

Dentists now routinely care for patients with complex medical conditions, underscoring the importance of understanding the interplay between oral and systemic health. The common phrase, “The mouth is the mirror to the body,” reflects this bidirectional relationship.

Therefore, the Review of Systems (ROS) plays a crucial role in assessing the severity of medical issues that may influence dental treatment. For instance, conducting a focused cardiac ROS is vital when managing patients with known cardiovascular diseases.

In oral medicine and orofacial pain, where most patients present with underlying systemic conditions that directly or indirectly influence the presentation and severity of their chief concern, the importance of a well-executed ROS is not just a formality; it becomes a necessity.


So, What Exactly is a Review of Systems?
The Review of Systems (ROS) is a systematic method used by healthcare providers to gather information about a patient’s overall health by assessing symptoms across various organ systems. It involves a thorough evaluation of current or recent signs and symptoms the patient may be experiencing, organized by body system. Typically, the ROS is conducted through a structured series of questions covering systems such as cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological.


Why is a review of systems important?
Click to read the full post on my website.

Explore the importance and clinical applications of the Review of Systems in dentistry and oral medicine.

01/17/2025

Hello, my People,
I will teach my VIRTUAL oral medicine continuing education course titled: "Oral Lesions: Recognition, Diagnosis, and Management" on Friday, January 31st, 2025, from 9 am to 4 pm. Hosted by Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry.

If you are a healthcare professional interested in improving your clinical skills in recognizing, diagnosing, and managing oral mucosal disorders, I invite you to spend the day with me virtually.

This continuing education in oral medicine is ideal for general dentists, specialist dentists, first-year oral medicine residents, dental hygienists, family practice, internal medicine, emergency room physicians, etc.

Direct Registration Link: https://noncredit.temple.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=186509778

Oral mucosal disorders encompass a wide variety of lesions with different etiologies. Some patients present with lesions that have pathognomonic clinical characteristics while other lesions have similar clinical features, which make them more challenging to diagnose.  Using a problem-oriented as we...