Targeted Genetic Education in Dentistry in the Era of Genomics

Background: The growing body of knowledge on the human genome and its variants points towards the significance of genetic factors in oral health and disease. Since the dental curricula have historically prioritized clinically oriented subjects, this focus has resulted in insufficient coverage of genetics. To leverage this knowledge in patient care, dental education must equip students with an understanding of the principles of genetics. Method: We have established "Genetic Educators Network in Dentistry" (GEN-Dent) to identify common concerns regarding genetics in dental education and work for a greater emphasis on genetics in future dental programs to make sure that professionals in dentistry are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of the evolving "human genome era". Results: Here, GEN-Dent proposes specific learning goals for medical genetics in dentistry and provides supporting teaching material addressing each learning goal. The five life-like case studies exemplify different dental conditions and introduce important concepts of genetics, inspiring other educators. Conclusions: Opportunities in Scandinavian countries can be an advantage in increasing global awareness of the importance of genetics in dentistry. The integration of genetics into dental education not only aims to improve patient care but also seeks to inspire a new generation of basic scientists with clinical backgrounds in dentistry. We expect that using life-like patient cases will significantly motivate dental students when learning medical genetics.

Bridging the gap between omics research and dental practice

AIM

The burgeoning field of omics research has witnessed exponential growth in both medicine and dentistry. However, despite more than a decade of advancements, clinical dentistry, particularly in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), has seen limited progress in integrating omics-based approaches into routine practice. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the integration of omics approaches in dentistry, focusing on the challenges and opportunities for translating research findings into clinical practice.

METHODS

we conducted a literature review using key databases to provide a brief overview of the history of genomics in dentistry. Additionally, we summarised recent breakthroughs in omics relevant to oral health practitioners, emphasising the inadequate translation of omics research into clinical practice.

RESULTS

Despite significant growth in omics research in both medicine and dentistry, its translation into routine clinical practice in dentistry remains limited. We summarise recent breakthroughs in omics and highlight the gap between research advancements and clinical implementation.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The integration of omics approaches holds promise for enhancing diagnostics, personalised treatment strategies, and preventive measures in dental practice, ushering in a new era of precision oral healthcare. However, several challenges, including infrastructure limitations, cost-effectiveness, and education gaps, hinder the widespread adoption of omics-based approaches in clinical dentistry. A strong commitment to transforming dentistry is required to embrace this transition. This shift has the potential to revolutionise oral healthcare by advancing precision diagnostics and treatment strategies tailored to individual patient needs.

Future horizons: embedding the evolving science of regenerative dentistry in a modern, sustainable dental curriculum

Regenerative dentistry is an emerging field promising to revolutionise the way we approach and perform clinical therapies. This multidisciplinary field, integrating cellular biology, material science and tissue engineering, aims to restore and maintain biological vitality unlike conventional dental therapies, providing a new approach in achieving sustainability within dentistry. Although this emerging field in dentistry seems futuristic and a distant reality, it is closer than we perceive it, as rapid scientific advances contribute to novel technologies. In this opinion piece we share our views on the emerging field and the need of embedding the scientific knowledge and sustainability within the dental curriculum. We critically discuss challenges and quests ahead of our dental profession facing the future.

A Pilot Epidemiological Exploration of Regenerative Dentistry From the Perspective of Active Clinicians Working in the UK

Innovation has always been part of dentistry and with that comes thinking outside the box to produce guidelines for implementation of new approaches. Regenerative dentistry (RD) is a young specialty within the profession, which gathers knowledge from stem cells, molecular biology, and tissue and material engineering to produce and apply novel biologically based therapies. Since RD is an emerging branch of dentistry, it is not yet understood whether active clinicians are aware of this field and know exactly what it does. The aim of this study is to explore the awareness, understanding, and beliefs about RD of active dentists. A random selection of active dentists in the UK was approached via e-mail and face-to-face and asked to fill in a questionnaire. A total of 45 responses were received and analyzed. The results showed that active dentists in the UK are aware of the field but are not prepared to apply personalized biologically based therapies and feel a desire to educate themselves about RD further. Also, the results shine a light on the opportunities for regulatory and educational bodies to work together to prepare the clinicians for this novel field. Our research suggests that active dentists are ill-prepared for an era of personalized biologically based dental treatments. Further thinking of how to implement basic and more advanced biological knowledge and their application in dentistry is needed, and suggestions are made here.