Oral Sciences II

Catalog description

GR This course is conducted by experts in the areas of biochemistry, microbiology, virology, inflammation and immunology, cell biology, pediatric dentistry, and oral biology. Included are lectures on the extracellular matrix and its role in maintenance of tissue function in health and oral diseases; wound healing and repair; bone and cartilage; stem cell biology; mesenchymal and induced pluripotent stem cells in regenerative medicine and therapy, and oral tissue engineering. Lectures in oral biology address the mechanisms of oral infection/cariology, saliva and its role in health maintenance; pulp biology and pathology; biology of tooth movement; new concepts in pain management in dental practice; and oral cancer/tumor markers. More lectures in oral biology address on classification, structure, and function of major periodontopathic bacteria, and virulence factors and pathogenesis of oral microbial diseases. Other microbiology topics include bacterial etiology of dental caries and the role of fluoride therapy, fungal diseases, herpes viruses, hepatitis, human papillomavirus, and HIV. Host defense topics include inflammation, basic principles or immunology, immunologic mechanisms and cytokines in periodontitis and pulpitis. Additionally, information on the expanded knowledge of physiologic and biochemical principles involved in oral function are covered. Topics are selected to develop an appreciation of the oral cavity and its associated structures as an integral part of a larger functional unit.