Applicants to Master’s and Doctoral degrees are not affected by the recently announced cap on study permits. Review more details
There have been remarkable changes in dentistry in almost 60 years since the first class began, and the UBC Faculty of Dentistry has been instrumental in these advances in the oral health sciences. The Faculty of Dentistry is particularly well prepared to continue making significant contributions to our profession’s body of knowledge through our active faculty research, outstanding curriculum and amongst the most technologically advanced dental clinics in the world, the Nobel BioCare Oral Health Centre.
UBC Dentistry is committed to delivering outstanding research-intensive MSc and PhD graduate studies in the field of Craniofacial Science. Studies can be done in the areas of population health, oral health-related clinical research including both interventional and observational studies, and basic science research in the areas of biomaterials, cell biology, developmental biology, microbiology and molecular biology.
Our training programs include endodontics, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and prosthodontics. Specialty training must be completed in combination with an MSc or PhD degree. These programs complement our General Practice Residency Program and Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology Residency Program. Our combined educational approach ensures that newly graduated clinicians are well prepared to critically evaluate new treatment modalities as they are developed, and participate actively in clinical research.
Opened in March 2006, the Nobel Biocare Oral Health Centre is the hub of UBC Dentistry patient care and clinical learning. The 39,000 sq. ft clinical facility accommodates 144 operatories, a state-of-the-art central sterilization dispensary, as well as a suite of seminar rooms, clinical laboratories and radiology units. A networked chairside software system manages patient information and stores digital images. The Nobel Biocare Oral Health Centre uses state-of-the-art technology and an innovative architectural design to create a modern, efficient space for clinical learning, community service and research.
UBC Dentistry’s areas of excellence are grouped in three research clusters:
| Name | Research Interests |
|---|---|
| Pigozzo Manso, Adriana | Dentistry and oral health; Color shade in resin composite; Dental adhesive interfaces; Resin dentin bond stability |
| Pliska, Benjamin | Dentistry and oral health; Sleep and Sleep Disorders; Oro-Dental Disorders; Facial growth and development; sleep medicine |
| Poh, Catherine | Optical Techniques and oral precancer management |
| Putnins, Edward | Dentistry and oral health; Oro-Dental Disorders; Chronic mucosal inflammation; Monoamine oxidase Inhibitor development as anti-inflammatories |
| Rafiei, Elaheh | |
| Richman, Joy Marion | Dentistry and oral health; Evolution of developmental systems; Pedodontics; Congenital Anomalies; craniofacial development; chicken embryo limb development; Developmental biology; Embryonic Development; Evo-Devo; Growth Factors; orofacial clefting; reptilian tooth development; Cell signaling |
| Rosin, Jessica | |
| Ruse, N Dorin | dental materials, adhesion, biocompatibility, amalgam, mercury, dental composites, Engineering, biomaterials, fracture mechanics, fatigue |
| Shen, Ya | nickel-titanium instrument fracture mechanics, biofilms, dental materials and three-dimensional imaging in endodontics |
| Shuler, Charles | Oral cancer and gene therapy |
| Tong, Nicholas | Geriatric Dentistry, Hospital Dentistry |
| von Bergmann, Hsingchi | Medicine, nursing and health curriculum, pedagogy and didactics; Other medical sciences; Philosophy; assessment; PBL; Beliefs & Identity; Online Teaching and Learning; Professionalism; Wellbeing; decision making |
| Vora, Siddharth | Dentistry and oral health; Cleft lip and/or palate; Craniofacial Biology; Developmental biology; Oro-Dental Disorders; Orthodontics; Tooth development |
| Wyatt, Christopher | Dental disease prevention, oral health promotion |
| Yen, Edwin H | Medical, health and life sciences; Orthodontics; Craniofacial Biology |
| Zhang, Lewei | Genetics |
| Zou, Bingshuang | Stomatology; TMJ related diseases; Orthodontics; craniofacial development; Cephalometry; Craniomandibular disorders; Facial anomalies; Craniofacial surgery; Digital radiography; Maxillofacial abnormalities; Craniofacial abnormalities; Orthognathic surgery |
This is an incomplete sample of recent publications in chronological order by UBC faculty members with a primary appointment in the Faculty of Dentistry.
| Year | Citation | Program |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Dr. Danescu established novel microscopic methods to visualize the embryonic face as it develops. He was able to see coordinated and symmetrical patterns of cell behaviour and observe how specific drugs block cell movements. The insights from his work will impact our understanding of normal and abnormal facial development. | Doctor of Philosophy in Craniofacial Science (PhD) |
| 2020 | Dr. Ahmed investigated the effects of preparation design and sintering on the marginal accuracy of zirconia crowns, and established an innovative method for measuring the shrinkage of zirconia crowns during processing. This research provides valuable knowledge for achieving precise fit and improving the clinical success of zirconia restorations. | Doctor of Philosophy in Craniofacial Science and Diploma in Prosthodontics (PhD/Dip. Prosthodontics) |
| 2020 | Dr. Bi investigated cell behavior in the regulation of periodontal disease. He found that a receptor molecule plays a central role in the regulation of periodontal inflammation and bone loss through transforming growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor signaling. This research will impact treatment methods for periodontal diseases. | Doctor of Philosophy in Craniofacial Science (PhD) |
| 2019 | Dr. Jessani studied the oral health needs and services of people living with HIV in British Columbia. His results identified three quarters of this population had unmet dental treatment needs, half of the respondents had not visited a dentist with in the last year and half had experienced some kind of discrimination by their oral health providers. | Doctor of Philosophy in Craniofacial Science (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Salimi conducted an 18 year review of outcomes related to cleft lip and palate patients treated at BC's Children's Hospital in order to evaluate the incidence and potential risk of fistula development. She further developed a protocol for comprehensive follow up of cleft lip and palate patients in the shape of a standardized assessment form. | Doctor of Philosophy in Craniofacial Science and Diploma in Orthodontics (PhD/Dip. Orthodontics) |
| 2018 | Dr. Rock advanced the risk stratification of oral precancerous lesions by examining different associations between microscopic diagnosis, molecular features, risk habits, clinical lesion characteristics over time and progression to cancer. This research provides a new framework to integrate lesion change over time into risk models. | Doctor of Philosophy in Craniofacial Science (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Tarzemany studied the function of a protein that mediates cell communication in wound healing in skin and oral mucosa, and its relevance for scar formation. Findings from her project may be used to develop effective and predictable therapeutic modalities to prevent and treat scars. | Doctor of Philosophy in Craniofacial Science (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Stojicic studied bacteria that are the main cause of tooth decay, periodontal and root canal infections. Her research contributed to finding the most efficient way for killing bacteria and curing dental diseases. Research findings documented in her thesis will be of great benefit both for dental practitioners and patients, to keep teeth healthy. | Doctor of Philosophy in Craniofacial Science (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Wallace explored the expansion of community dental clinics in British Columbia, and their potential to respond to oral health inequities. He found that the clinics are helping to provide dentistry to underserved populations. However, the services are limited, and Dr. Wallace recommends government policy that integrates dentistry within health equity agendas. | Doctor of Philosophy in Craniofacial Science (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Donnelly explored the influence of oral health, body image, and social interactions of elders living in care facilities. Her findings expanded our understanding of how personal and environmental factors influence the social impact of oral conditions. | Doctor of Philosophy in Craniofacial Science (PhD) |