Biomaterials and Your Health

Course Description

"Biomaterials and Your Health" is an exciting 4-week course that explores the cutting-edge world of biomaterials and their impact on oral health care. Led by HKU's Prof Jukka Matinlinna and Dr James K.H. Tsoi, this course brings together 25 dental practitioners and researchers from 10 dental specialties worldwide. You'll dive into the fascinating realm of biomedical materials, learning about their special properties and how they're revolutionizing oral health care. From nanoneedles in oral cancer detection to the crucial role of digital dentistry, this course covers it all. You'll also get insights into innovative research and potential new applications of biomaterials in oral health care from clinicians and scientists across the globe.

What Students Will Learn

• The definition and implications of biomaterials and biocompatibility
• Cutting-edge technologies like nanoneedles and their use in oral cancer detection
• Properties of common dental materials such as bone cement, glass ionomer cements, and fibre reinforced composites
• The role of biomineralization and remineralization in dentistry
• Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies in dental applications
• The importance of silicon in prosthetics and biomimicry
• Standardization and work safety aspects in dentistry
• The future trends in dental biomaterials

Pre-requisites

No prerequisites are required for this course. However, a basic understanding of biology, chemistry, or materials science would be beneficial.

Course Coverage

• Introduction to biomaterials and biocompatibility
• Work safety aspects of dental materials
• Biomineralization and its applications in dentistry
• Modern bone cements and surface treatments
• Glass ionomer cements and resin composites
• Fibre reinforced composites and non-metallic implants
• Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies in dentistry
• Nanoneedles and their application in oral cancer detection
• Material testing and standards for dental biomaterials
• Prosthetic dentistry and cosmesis
• Biomimicry in dental materials
• Silicon applications in medicine and dentistry

Who This Course Is For

• Dental and medical students
• Practicing dentists and oral health professionals
• Researchers in biomaterials and biotechnology
• Materials science students and professionals
• Anyone interested in the intersection of materials science and healthcare

Real-World Applications

• Dental professionals can make informed decisions about material choices in patient care
• Researchers can pursue new avenues in biomaterials development
• Students can prepare for careers in dentistry or biomaterials research
• Healthcare professionals can better understand the materials used in their field
• Industry professionals can innovate new products based on cutting-edge biomaterials research

Syllabus