Biochemistry for Dental Medicine

Catalog description

Biochemistry is the science concerned with studying the various molecules, chemical reactions, and processes related to living cells and organisms. Those individuals who acquire a solid knowledge of Biochemistry will be in an excellent position to address two central aspects of the Biomedical Sciences: (1) the understanding and maintenance of health and (2) the understanding and effective treatment of disease. Biochemical approaches have illuminated many aspects of disease. The knowledge gained through this discipline can be applied to understand diseases in many ways: (1) it helps understanding the causes of diseases, (2) informs the design of rational and effective treatments, (3) informs the design of screening tests for early diagnosis, (4) assists in monitoring treatment outcomes, and (5) helps in assessing response to therapy. The Biochemistry for Dental Medicine course aims to teach students foundational biochemistry concepts, with an emphasis on the clinical relevance of such a foundational knowledge for the practice of dentistry. The teaching of foundational biochemistry concepts will be complemented with discussion of clinical correlations and case presentations.