This is one of the courses provided by the department of oral medicine and surgery for undergraduate 2nd year dental students. The course has two components: didactic (theory) and practical components. The didactic component of the course covers major topics in the field of oral and maxillofacial histology and embryology such as odontogenesis, eruption and establishment of human dentition, development of (dental tissues, periodontium, oral mucosa, salivary glands, TMJ), structure and function of dental tissues, periodontium, oral mucosa, salivary glands, TMJ). Furthermore, during the first two weeks, students will review the basics of general embryology and explore in-in-depth the details relating to orofacial embryology that will facilitate and aid the student?s understanding of the development of teeth and oral tissues at a later stage during the course.
The practical session involves applying the knowledge gained in the didactic component by examining, drawing and labelling histological sections (static and virtual) related to the topic covered in the week. At the end of the course, the students are required to prepare and submit a mini team-based project reflects their understanding of an assigned subtopic in oral and maxillofacial embryology or histology.