School of Dentistry

	Profile

The mission of the School of Dentistry (The Dental School) is to extend, evaluate and transmit knowledge and skills in dental science and related sciences through learning, teaching and research of the highest international standard for the particular benefit of the people of Queensland and the wider national and international community.

Basic science research

Research in immunopathology is a major strength of the School, and falls into three main areas: the immunopathology of periodontal diseases including their linkages to general health; the immunopathology of oral mucosal diseases; and the immunopathology of oral fungal infections.

The School has a well established research group whose interests are focused on connective tissue biology. A key area of interest is in the regulation of tissue integrity and repair as it relates to periodontal disease periodontal regeneration. This group has strong linkages with the IMB in the area of tissue engineering.

Research in dental hard tissue biology examines the role of various growth factors in the formation and repair of dental hard tissues (teeth and bone), and in tooth eruption and tooth movement.

Clinically-focused research

The Colgate Oral Care Research Program is a large externally funded program which involves clinical, microbiological and immunological studies of the progression of periodontal disease in various populations.

Investigations in the area of paediatric dentistry are examining the transmission and control of dental caries as an infectious disease at the level of the dental practitioner and at the level of the community, as well as novel restorative treatments.

Research projects in orthodontics address issues such as tooth morphology and its effects on the interdigitation of teeth, frictional resistance to orthodontic tooth movement, and the retention and stability of orthodontically treated occlusions.

In the discipline of community dentistry, research examines the delivery of dental care particularly in rural and remote regions, marketing of dental practice, and the attitudes and behaviours of dental consumers.

Translational research is a major focus for the Biomaterials and Advanced Technologies group. This group undertakes both basic and clinically applied research in collaboration with polymer chemists, biochemists, physicists and other experts from outside the School to help develop and deploy a range of new technologies for preventing, arresting or treating conditions affecting the teeth. The group has a particular interest in optical processes and technologies such as image analysis, laser-induced fluorescence, and photochemical reactions with clinical applications in dentistry.

Other clinical studies in the School span a number of dental specialties and are investigating novel treatment strategies for failing dental implants, and for identifying and regenerating tooth structure damaged by dental caries, dental erosion, or accelerated tooth wear. The role of saliva in oral health is a particular area of interest shared across many staff members of the School.

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