Oral Microbiology

ORB 601 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

The objective of this course is to present fundamental information and concepts regarding the relationship between microbiology (bacteriology) and dental diseases. The relationship between basic and clinical research is explored to include significance in clinical dental practice - as it is and how it might develop. The first part of the course covers traditional and newly developed molecular microbiological methods. The taxonomy of oral species is presented including methods used to derive stable species classifications. Acquisition of the oral microbiota and inter-bacterial relationships as they relate to plaque biofilm ecology are described. The second part of the course covers microbiology of dental caries and periodontal infections including other oral infections of dental origin including peri-implant and endodontic microbiology. Therapy, virulence and anti-microbial strategies for therapy and prevention are presented, and an introduction to species virulence and pathogenicity.