TAB2000 Dental Material Science 3 Course description

Language of instruction: Norwegian

What risk do dental materials pose for the patient, dental health personnel and the environment? These are key themes that will be discussed in the course. Dental restorative materials are classified as biomaterials as they are intended to work in the human body. Dental materials’ biocompability describes the ability of a material to act with a suitable biological response. Substances leaking from restorative materials represent a potential risk in relation to biological systems and the environment.

Dental health personnel are particularly exposed to dental materials. Knowledge about occupational exposure, health care and environmental considerations are essential to maintaining good procedures and good occupational health both for dental technicians and others. Aspects of applicable laws and regulations relating to dental biomaterials will also be elucidated.

The student must have been admitted to the study programme.

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge and general competence:

Knowledge

The student can

• explain relevant concepts in biocompatibility and dental biomaterials
• explain the main reasons for toxicological and allergic reactions, as well as the general side effects dental materials can trigger in patients and dental health personnel
• describe the risk that dental biomaterials may trigger biological reactions in the form of allergies, toxicity and side effects
• describe biochemical processes in the body that can explain unwanted biological reactions caused by dental materials
• describe measures for reducing the risk of negative biological reactions in patients when producing oral prosthetics solutions
• explain how leakage of substances and degradation components from dental biomaterial can lead to unwanted biological reactions
• explain the consequences incorrect treatment and composition of materials can have for biocompability
• describe the risk of possible health problems in connection with short-term and long-term occupational exposure to dental materials
• explain the most common routes of exposure and how to best protect again exposure
• explain national and international regulatory requirements and standards that apply to dental biomaterials
• explain environmental considerations relating to the extraction and disposal of substances included in dental materials

General competence

The student can

• critically explain the choice of materials on the basis of research and material science principles
• reflect on environmental aspects related to the extraction and disposal of substances included in dental materials
• use, store and dispose of relevant dental technology materials, chemicals and equipment with regards to health, safety and the environment (HSE) in the laboratory

The work and teaching methods vary between lectures, self-study, lab exercises and seminars, combined with theoretical assignments carried out in groups and individually. The lab exercises may consist of materials testing.

The following must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

• a minimum attendance of 90 % at demonstration lectures and lab exercises
• a minimum attendance of 80 % in skills training, seminars and compulsory supervision

Individual oral exam, up to 20 minutes.

None

Pass/Fail

All answers are assessed by two examiners.

An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum of every third completion of the course. When selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 5 answers. The external examiner’s assessment of the selected answers shall benefit all students.

Five credits overlap with the course TANN2000 Interaction of Dental Materials with Oral Tissue