Dr. Chitra Priya Emperumal is a dual dental specialist in Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine, board certified by the American Board of Orofacial Pain with a Diplomate status and board-eligible Oral Medicine specialist.
Dr. Emperumal is one of the very few physicians holding a dual medical specialty (residency): She is trained in both Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine in the United States; she is the only dual residency trained/specialist in the state of MN with an integrated practice.
Her journey began during the dental school education when she realized how systemic conditions manifested within the oral cavity and how chronic pain impacted patients’ quality of life. During residencies, she was exposed to cases of complex pain conditions and oral pathologies that demanded a multi-disciplinary approach to care. These multitude of experiences brought Dr. Emperumal to be a specialist in both areas, working closely with a range of medical professionals.
Professional Information for Chitra Priya Emperumal, BDS, MS
Dr. Emperumal received her dental degree from India. She has completed 3 year masters in orofacial pain and oral medicine at University of Southern California (USC), followed by 2 year residency in Orofacial Pain at USC as well. She then completed a one year research training at the Dept. of Otolaryngology, Mayo Clinic, Minnesota and an externship in Oral Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Following this, Dr. Emperumal also completed a 3 year oral medicine residency at University of California, San Francisco with a special emphasis on oral oncology at Helen Diller and Bakar Precision Medicine Cancer Centre.
Leadership, Research & Academic Accolades
She has been exclusively practicing in the field of Orofacial Pain and Oral. Medicine field for almost 9 years and has served as chief resident during both of her residencies. Dr.Emperumal has published in peer reviewed journals and has been a chief resident during both of her residencies. She was awarded a research grant during her residency for her work on oral toxicities of immunotherapy for prostate cancer and has also received a case report award by the AAOM.
Management of Cancer Therapy Complications (including GVHD and adverse effects of chemotherapies, radiotherapies and immunotherapies, including dry mouth, dental clearance before radiotherapy of head and neck cancers, oral ulcers)
Her Oral Medicine practice adds an emphasis on oral oncology and dysplasia at the Minnesota Head & Neck Pain Clinic, catering to patients undergoing cancer therapies, including Immunotherapy and CAR-T therapies.
Professional Affiliations
2022 to present
Diplomate of American Academy of Orofacial Pain
2022 to present
Member of American Academy of Oral Medicine
2020 to present
Member of the American Association of Cancer Research
2023-2024
Member of American Society of Clinical Oncology
2019-2022
Phi Kappa Phi Society of University of Southern California
2019-2021
Member of the Southern California Pathologists Association
2016 to present
Member of Alice Mayo Society
Top Articles on other Sites Written by Dr. Chitra Priya Emperumal
Her professional goal is to improve the quality of life for patients dealing with chronic pain and systemic diseases affecting their oral health. Dr. Chitra Priya Emperumal is also a clinician scientist, who looks forward to bridge the gap between research and clinical care.
Volunteerism
As part of the peer review process for publication of scientific research, Chitra Priya Emperumal, BDS, MS reviewed numerous manuscripts submitted for publication to basic and clinical research peer-reviewed journals. She has volunteered in community dental services and oral cancer screening, and also has administered covid screening tests during her residency. Outside of the dental profession, Emperumal has volunteered in breast cancer awareness programs and psychometric tester in the Alzheimer’s clinic.
Personal Interests
Dr. Emperumal enjoys being fit both mentally and physically and has a deep passion for yoga and meditation. In addition, she loves reading books and exploring new cuisines. As a lifelong learner and specialist in Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine, she continues to explore opportunities to deepen her expertise and be engaged in continuing education courses/workshops to help provide quality patient-centered care.
Our mission is to provide high-quality, effective patient care for head and neck disorders through a multispecialty, interdisciplinary approach designed to reduce pain and improve function for all our patients.