The role of oral biology departments in dental education
Gotjamanos, T.
Journal of Dental Education 45(6): 340-343
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-0337 PMID: 6939732 Document Number: 173436
This paper defines the scope of oral biology, examines patterns of organization and staffing of oral biology departments, discusses the rationale for including courses in oral biology in the undergraduate curriculum, and the organization and content of such courses. Future trends in oral biology are outlined and the conclusion is reached that until clinical departments can assume primary responsibility for ensuring that basic sciences are adequately correlated with clinical dentistry, the need for an oral biology department within a dental school will continue to exist. Furthermore, departments of oral biology must collaborate closely with the clinical departments to develop unified teaching programs that encourage the use of basic science material in solving clinical problems