Module manager: Phil Davies
Email: r.p.w.davies@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
Successful completion of Year 1 modules
This module is not approved as a discovery module
You will develop your scientific knowledge of the mouth and consider this in the context of the whole body. You will learn about the structure, function and development of orofacial tissues, pathology related to dentistry and systemic disease, the genetic basis of disease, advanced principles of microbial contamination, infection and immune defences related to oral disease and mineralised tissue in relation to diseases and the application of dental technology.
This module aims to further develop students' underpinning knowledge in a continuation of three of the scientific subthemes in preparation for clinical learning and practice. Across these subthemes introductory foundations laid in year 1 are built upon with an increasing application to the oral cavity and dentistry. Students will develop their knowledge of "Anatomy, physiology and pathology" accompanied by an introduction to pharmacology, which will be applied to the study of diseases, including their oral manifestations and management. Students will further advance and apply their knowledge of "Infection and defence" in relation of disease pathogenesis and infection prevention through disinfection and vaccination. Within the "Materials and mineralised tissues" subtheme, students will develop a detailed appreciation of natural and synthetic dental materials applying knowledge of their interactions to clinical dentistry. Independent learning tasks will structure student study alongside regular consolidation seminars. Opportunities for formative feedback will be embedded across the module which will enable students to evaluate their learning and monitor progress in each subtheme.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Explain the mechanisms of oral physiological processes and relate to clinical applications.
2. Describe the mechanisms of systemic diseases, including their oral manifestations.
3. Describe the orofacial structures with application to pain and infection in the clinical setting.
4. Explain microbiological and immunological processes and their significance in clinical practice.
5. Explain the pharmacology of antibiotics and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and drug actions.
6. Describe the physical, chemical, and biological properties of dental materials to determine their suitability for specific clinical applications.
Analyse information from a range of sources, interpret and communicate this in a range of formats
WR9 - critical thinking
WR13 - core literacies
Anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and pathology
This subtheme will deliver teaching on:
- Advanced oral anatomy including application to temporomandibular joint and spread of infection.
- Advanced tooth morphology including permanent and deciduous.
- Developing themes of histology specific to oral tissues in health and disease.
- All aspects of salivation, and oral physiological functions.
- An introduction to pharmacology.
- More advanced pathology including dentistry in the context of medically complex patients, systemic disease, management of medical problems and emergencies, and the genetic and genomic causes of diseases.
- More advanced material relating to the development of the jaws and the teeth including related embryology.
Infection and Defence
This subtheme will deliver teaching on:
- The further principles of microbiology and their application to specific oral diseases and orofacial infections, disinfection and vaccination.
- Advanced principals of immunology to include, antigen presentation and distinction of self from non-self, adaptive immunological diversity, memory and its contribution to vaccination, the inflammatory and immune response in health and disease with focus on oral disease.
Materials and mineralised tissues
This subtheme will deliver teaching on:
- Biomineralisation with advanced technologies.
- Physics of remineralisation - demineralisation.
- Proteopathic and other diseases related to mineralized tissue (osteoporosis, MIH, dentinogenesis imperfecta, dentine dysplasia).
- Chemistry at the interface.
- Dentine bonding systems / glass ionomers / composites in general.
- Metallurgy.
- Biomaterials.
- Increasingly advanced polymer science.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 78 | 1 | 78 |
| Practical | 1 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Seminar | 21 | 1 | 21 |
| Private study hours | 299.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 100.5 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 400 | ||
Module content will be delivered in defined topics. Formative in course assessment tasks, including online knowledge tests, will be provided contemporaneously with teaching, to accompany the delivery of each module component. This will allow students to evaluate their learning and monitor progress in each subtheme throughout the year, supporting their progression towards the end of year examination.
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2.0 Hrs Mins | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 100 | |
In-person closed book, online time limited examination.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team