Introduction
Oral Biology is a basic dental science subject and makes a sound foundation for clinical dental science understanding and application. It is a diverse field that deals with the development, gross and histological structures, functions, and clinical relevance of oral and craniofacial tissues. This specialty is also concerned with the application of scientific knowledge to orofacial tissues in both health and disease. It is a multi-discipline field including oral embryology, anatomy, histology, physiology, tooth morphology, and dental occlusion. The department provides learning opportunities to year 1 undergraduate dental students. We follow an integrated curriculum with clinical dental sciences following a learner-centered approach. Our teaching methodologies include multimedia lectures, educational videos, interactive sessions in small groups, and practical demonstrations utilizing facilities of well-equipped lecture halls, seminar rooms, and oral biology laboratory with resources such as histological slides, microscopes, and study models. Three of the faculty members hold Ph.D. degrees. Being research-oriented, faculty has publications in impact factor international and HEC-recognized local journals and secured research grants and international collaboration for our research projects. The department also supports house officers and BDS students by facilitating research including proposal writing, research methodologies, and supervision of research projects. By providing a high standard of basic science teaching and research we prepare graduates with a holistic approach to clinical problem-solving. Our vision is to produce graduates who are competent to apply knowledge and are able to relate their understanding of the development, structures, functions, and metabolic pathways of the orofacial tissues in an evidence-based approach in their practice of dentistry.
