Oral Biology

About

The Department of Oral Biology is at the forefront of dental education and research. The department's award-winning faculty contribute to improving the oral health of the people of Nebraska and beyond by educating the next generation of oral health care providers and making significant discoveries in oral health research.

Education

The department faculty educate predoctoral students on the general and oral components of the basic biomedical sciences, anatomy, oral pathology, biomonitoring and research methodology.

Courses offered include:

• Biochemistry for Dental Students
• Clinical Oral Pathology
• Craniofacial/Oral Development and Regeneration
• General/Oral Histology
• General/Oral Pathology for Dental Hygiene Students
• General Pathology
• General Pharmacology for Dental Students
• Head & Neck Anatomy
• Human Anatomy
• Human Physiology
• Introduction to Immunology
• Introduction to Pharmacology
• Oral & Medical Microbiology
• Oral Medicine
• Oral Pharmacology
• Oral Pathology
• Oro-Dental Histology
• Osteology of the Skull
• Patient Communication and Management
• Research and Ethics
• Reseach Metholodology
• Review of Biomedical/Dental Sciences

The department also offers a postgraduate program through the UNMC Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area (MSIA), providing opportunities for residents and graduate students to pursue a graduate degree in preparation for careers in research and academic dentistry. The program emphasizes basic research on clinically important problems related to oral health.

Research

The faculty in the Department of Oral Biology are nationally and internationally recognized for their contributions to oral health research. Many have received prestigious research awards and secured grant funding from a wide range of sources. Advancing research is a key goal for the department.

Faculty conduct basic and translational research. Major research focus areas include biomaterials and bioregulation. The department's Cruzan Center for Dental Research was established to conduct well-designed clinical trials and clinical studies and receives funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), private foundations and industry.