Frontiers in Dentistry

Throughout this course, you will be provided the opportunity to explore some of the latest, most fascinating advances in dental medicine. These innovations in therapeutic techniques as well as our understanding of the biomedical sciences have been made possible by our research enterprise which integrates the latest emerging technology along with interdisciplinary collaborations. We will begin the course with a warm welcome from Penn Dental Medicine's Morton Amsterdam Dean, Dr. Mark Wolff, and a brief introduction to the five domains that we will be discussing in this course. You will also get the opportunity to tell us more about yourself and your hopes for this learning experience. Let's get started!

The University of Pennsylvania provides a unique sense of collaboration that fosters cross-discipline partnerships. The Center for Innovation & Precision Dentistry (CiPD) is a vibrant community of experts in Penn Dental Medicine and Penn’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences who leverage cutting-edge yet affordable approaches. The CiPD allows for accelerated discovery and translation of new therapies, diagnostics, and devices to address unmet needs in oral health. The CiPD also trains the next generation of leaders in dental, oral, and craniofacial research, and oral healthcare innovation. Several completed and in-progress projects will be highlighted in this week's module in an interview with Dr. Michel Koo, a Professor at the School of Dental Medicine and the co-Director of the Center for Innovation & Precision Dentistry (CiPD) at the University of Pennsylvania.

For the 61 million Americans who have disabilities, going to the dentist can be a harrowing experience. There are many things to consider, including accessibility, finding care, and geographic proximity. Patients with hearing impediments, cognitive impairments, physical challenges, age, or disease-related difficulties need dentists, along with spaces designed for them and their caregivers. Mainstream healthcare providers are not often taught how to take different disabilities into consideration in their practices and treatment planning, which impacts millions of Americans’ access to healthcare every year. Minimally invasive care techniques that might not be typically considered in treatment planning are strong tools when treating patients whose disabilities might prevent them from receiving traditional treatment techniques. The Penn Dental Care Center for Persons with Disabilities is a unique opportunity for both patients and providers. It gives patients a tailored experience, taking into consideration a multitude of accessibility concerns. Students are given direct experience in treating patients with alternative needs as well as a good example of what accessibility looks like when considering their futures beyond Penn Dental Medicine. The ability of academic institutions to train the next generation of dentists who will be capable of treating patients with disabilities while also being cognizant of the various attitudinal, physical, and financial barriers is one of the formidable challenges facing the dental profession. To discuss these and other related issues we have invited one of the experts in this area, Dr. Miriam Robbins.

This module will discuss the up-to-date clinical and laboratory biomaterials research, focusing on esthetic dentistry, minimally invasive and adhesive dentistry, implant prosthodontics, novel materials, and modern CAD/CAM technologies. Which have improved our diagnostic capabilities and clinical outcomes. Combining advances in adhesive dental materials with advances in digital technologies, such as AI, provides a less invasive and more aesthetic outcome for the patient. These advances make calibration and communication between providers and specialties easier and more cost-effective. As the technology advances, dental professionals can provide more tailored and precise treatment to more patients at a lower cost and in fewer steps. We have invited an expert in this field, Dr. Markus Blatz, to provide more information about this domain.