Meet The Doctors

Dr. Karan Dharia - Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology

Some conditions in the mouth can't be fully understood through a visual exam alone. When that happens, Dr. Dharia helps you get clearer answers by combining imaging, clinical findings, and pathology to understand what is actually going on before any treatment decisions are made.

Oral pathologists are often described as the dermatologists of the mouth, specialists who help identify what a condition is when something looks unclear or unusual. In Oregon, there are only two oral pathologists, making this level of expertise especially important for complex or uncertain cases.

This means concerns involving lesions, infections, autoimmune-related changes, trauma, or tumors can be evaluated with a deeper level of diagnostic insight. Because many of these conditions can look similar early on, careful interpretation helps avoid assumptions and supports more accurate next steps.

His focus is on connecting what is seen in the mouth, what appears on imaging, and what is confirmed through pathology so you receive a diagnosis that reflects what is truly happening. When needed, this includes guiding biopsy decisions to ensure the most representative area is evaluated for the clearest result.

Education & Credentials

• Specialty Training in Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology (UCLA) and Pathology (Texas A&M)

Accreditations & Perspective

Dr. Dharia was recognized for his research poster "The Oral Radiologist's role in Dental Malpractice," where he reviewed real clinical cases involving diagnostic and treatment decisions. This work strengthened his understanding of how standards of care are applied in dentistry and where diagnostic errors can significantly affect patient outcomes.

His experience reviewing complex cases also supports his role in situations where precise imaging interpretation and adherence to clinical standards are essential, including expert-level evaluations in oral and maxillofacial radiology.