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The Faculty of Dentistry contributes 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.

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.
 

Mission
To advance oral health through outstanding education, research, and community service.
 

Research Facilities

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.

Research Highlights

UBC Dentistry’s areas of excellence are grouped in three research clusters:

Research Supervisors in Faculty

Name Research Interests
Putnins, Edward Dentistry and oral health; Oro-Dental Disorders; Chronic mucosal inflammation; Monoamine oxidase Inhibitor development as anti-inflammatories
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
Soussou, Randa preventive and restorative oral health care; behavior management; oral sedation
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 Medical, health and life sciences; Geriatrics, Prosthodontics, Oral Health
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

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Recent Publications

This is an incomplete sample of recent publications in chronological order by UBC faculty members with a primary appointment in the Faculty of Dentistry.

 

Publication: Clinical Oral Investigations
UBC Author(s): Ya Shen (Oral Biological & Medical Sciences / Faculty of Dentistry)
ISSN: 14326981
Volume: 28
Publication Date: August 2024

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Publication: Journal of virology
UBC Author(s): Christopher Mark Overall (Oral Biological & Medical Sciences / Faculty of Dentistry)
Volume: 98
Page Range: e0049824
Publication Date: 23 July 2024

View Publication
Publication: Cell Reports Physical Science
UBC Author(s): Ricardo Marins de Carvalho (Oral Biological & Medical Sciences / Faculty of Dentistry)
Volume: 5
Publication Date: 17 July 2024

View Publication
Publication: Asian Journal of Surgery
UBC Author(s): Ya Shen (Oral Biological & Medical Sciences / Faculty of Dentistry)
ISSN: 10159584
Volume: 47
Page Range: 3126-3127
Publication Date: July 2024

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Publication: eClinicalMedicine
UBC Author(s): Fang-Yeu Poh (Oral Biological & Medical Sciences / Faculty of Dentistry)
Volume: 73
Publication Date: July 2024

View Publication
Publication: Kidney International
UBC Author(s): Christopher Wyatt (Oral Health Sciences / Faculty of Dentistry)
ISSN: 00852538
Volume: 106
Page Range: 136-144
Publication Date: July 2024

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Publication: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology
UBC Author(s): Mary Macdougall (Dentistry, Dean's Office / Faculty of Dentistry)
ISSN: 22124403
Volume: 138
Page Range: e18-e25
Publication Date: July 2024

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Publication: Journal of Dental Sciences
UBC Author(s): Ya Shen (Oral Biological & Medical Sciences / Faculty of Dentistry)
ISSN: 19917902
Volume: 19
Page Range: 1894-1896
Publication Date: July 2024

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Publication: Journal of Dentistry
UBC Author(s): Ahmed Hieawy (Oral Biological & Medical Sciences / Faculty of Dentistry)
ISSN: 03005712
Volume: 146
Publication Date: July 2024

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Publication: Journal of Oral Biology and Craniofacial Research
UBC Author(s): Hugh Kim (Oral Biological & Medical Sciences / Faculty of Dentistry)
ISSN: 22124268
Volume: 14
Page Range: 471-477
Publication Date: 1 July 2024

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Publication: Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (United States)
UBC Author(s): Benjamin Pliska (Oral Health Sciences / Faculty of Dentistry)
ISSN: 01945998
Volume: 171
Page Range: 316-317
Publication Date: July 2024

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Publication: Dentistry Journal
UBC Author(s): Renata Grazziotin Soares (Oral Biological & Medical Sciences / Faculty of Dentistry)
Volume: 12
Publication Date: July 2024

View Publication

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Recent Thesis Submissions

Doctoral Citations

A doctoral citation summarizes the nature of the independent research, provides a high-level overview of the study, states the significance of the work and says who will benefit from the findings in clear, non-specialized language, so that members of a lay audience will understand it.
Year Citation Program
2020 Dr. Al-Sahan identified that the integration of five biopsychosocial theories can help explain how people cope and adapt to loss of visible body parts. She subsequently applied the theories in the context of coping with complete tooth loss thereby proposing a model that explains the process of coping with tooth loss. Doctor of Philosophy in Craniofacial Science and Diploma in Prosthodontics (PhD/Dip. Prosthodontics)
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)

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