Unit information: Health Sciences: Oral Biology Year 2 in 2019/20

Unit name	Health Sciences: Oral Biology Year 2
Unit code	ORDS10010
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Dr. Nobbs
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Bristol Dental School
Faculty	Faculty of Health Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

The Unit of Oral Biology delivers specialised teaching of anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology and physiology relating to the oral environment. Teaching is divided into eight Themes. These are delivered by both clinically- and scientifically-qualified staff with emphasis on relating scientific knowledge to the clinical condition at times appropriate for clinical activities within Year 2 of the programme. An understanding of the situation both in health and the more common oral diseases is gained. The eight Themes that comprise this Unit are as follows:

1. Oral mucosa
2. Oral secretions
3. Mineralised tissues
4. Oral microbiota
5. Dental caries
6. Periodontium and periodontal disease
7. Dental and facial pain
8. Tooth morphology

The Unit aims are:

• To build on the knowledge and principles taught in Year 1 medical bioscience subjects and to provide an introduction to oral biology, with emphasis on its relevance to clinical dentistry.
• To continue and extend integration of basic and applied sciences as related to oral health, disease and therapeutics.
• To provide integrated learning opportunities on the structure, functions and distribution of the oral tissues in the normal state.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students should obtain knowledge and understanding of the following:

• The tissues and organs of the body at the molecular, cellular, physiological and anatomical levels such that the student can appreciate the integration of function in the body, be aware of how pathological processes and injury may compromise such function and have sufficient knowledge of the broader aspects of the biology of the body where they impact upon and influence the delivery of dental and oral healthcare.
• The biology of the oral and dental tissues, and the secretions associated with these tissues, at the molecular, cellular, physiological and anatomical levels such that the student has a good appreciation of normal physiological function in the oral cavity, can recognize when this is compromised and is able to use their knowledge and understanding both to diagnose abnormal function and to underpin their subsequent treatment planning.
• The scientific basis of dentistry.

Alignment of these ILOs across the Unit Themes is as follows:

• Overview of dental & oral tissues and their inter-relationships (Themes 1, 3, 6, 8)
• Structure & function of oral mucosa (Theme 1)
• Oral sensation - taste and pain (Themes 1, 7)
• Composition, structure/function relationships of dental and periodontal tissues, fluoride substitution of dental tissues and appreciation of both tooth crown and root canal morphologies (Themes 3, 5, 6, 8)
• Embryological development of the craniofacial area (Themes 1, 6)
• Development of teeth and their supporting tissues, dentinogenesis, amelogenesis, cementogenesis and periodontal development (Themes 3, 6, 8)
• Tissue turnover and regeneration in the oral cavity (Themes 1, 3, 6)
• Tooth eruption, movement, resorption and exfoliation; implants (Theme 8)
• Salivary gland structure and composition and physiology of salivary secretion; role of saliva and the components of saliva (Themes 1, 2)
• Plaque metabolism and its effects; pH changes in the oral environment (Themes 4, 5, 6)
• Functional inter-relationships of oral & dental tissues and secretions and their importance in defence and homeostasis of the oral cavity (Themes 1, 2, 3, 6)
• Effect of fluoride on host tissues and bacterial metabolism (Themes 3, 5)
• Dental caries - molecular aspects of caries formation and inhibition; alternative sweeteners; erosion (Themes 4, 5)
• Periodontal disease – molecular aspects (Themes 1, 4, 6)

This unit contributes to delivery and assessment of the following General Dental Council learning outcomes as specified in Preparing for Practice:

Q5 / Q7

1.1: 1.1.1 / 1.1.3 / 1.1.4 / 1.1.5 / 1.1.6 / 1.1.7 / 1.1.9

1.7: 1.7.5

1.9: 1.9.1 / 1.9.2 / 1.9.3

1.10: 1.10.3 / 1.10.7

1.11: 1.11.1

1.12: 1.12.1 / 1.12.8

1.14: 1.14.1 / 1.14.2 / 1.14.6

2: 2.1 / 2.3

10: 10.2

Teaching Information

Lectures

Provide an opportunity for your teachers to introduce you to new knowledge and place factual information within a broader context. While lecture notes may be your major source of information, you are expected to consolidate your understanding by further reading. Synopses of all teaching and learning sessions are listed.

Practical sessions

Where possible these are linked to lectures within Themes and are designed to reinforce your theoretical knowledge by direct observation of histological specimens, experience of following experimental protocols, and data handling.

Problem-solving class

This allows you the opportunity to undertake small exercises and discuss your results with the teacher and others in the class. You may use the slides, models and CAL programmes in the Histology teaching lab on a Wednesday afternoon for private study. The medical library is well stocked with core textbooks as well as more detailed texts. Teaching staff are always keen to help you with any questions that you may have. There will be time at the end of most lectures for questions and during the course of practical sessions.

Small Group Tutorials

These are timetabled throughout the year. These are times when you can contact members of teaching staff if you have any queries about the course. Staff can also be contacted at any time by email.

Assessment Information

Summative Assessments:

Paper 1 e-Assessment – 1 ½ hours in total (This exam contributes to 40% of the Unit mark).

Paper 2 e-Assessment – 1 ½ hours in total (This exam contributes to 40% of the Unit mark).

Paper 3 Tooth morphology spot test – 40 minutes in total (This exam contributes to 20% of the Unit mark).

Reading and References

Essential reading

• Berkovitz BKB, Holland GR, Moxham BJ, Makdissi, J. Oral anatomy, histology and embryology. 5^th ed. Elsevier; 2018. ISBN 9780723438120.
• Beek GC van. Dental morphology: an illustrated guide. 2^nd ed. Elsevier; 1983. ISBN 9780723606666.

• Nanci A. Ten Cate’s oral histology: development, structure and function. 9^th ed. Elsevier; 2017. ISBN 9780323485241.

Recommended reading

• Cawson RA, Odell EW. Cawson’s essentials of oral pathology and oral medicine. 8^th ed. Churchill Livingstone; 2008. ISBN 9780443101250.

• Whawell S, Lambert D. Basic sciences for dental students. Wiley Blackwell; 2018. ISBN 9781118905579.
• Lamont RJ, Jenkinson HF. Oral microbiology at a glance. Wiley Blackwell; 2010. ISBN 9780813828923.

Further reading

• Miles TS, Nauntofte B, Svensson P. Clinical oral physiology. Quintessence Publishing Co. Ltd; 2004. ISBN 1850970912.

• Kidd EAM, Fejerskov O. Essentials of dental caries. 4^th ed. Oxford University Press; 2016. ISBN 9780198738268.