The Role of Biochemistry in Dental Sciences

The subject of biochemistry is being taught in the first or early year of various courses such as bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery (MBBS), bachelor of dental surgery (BDS), bachelor of physiotherapy (BPT), bachelor of pharmacy (BPharm), etc. The teaching of biochemistry nowadays includes considerable clinical relevance and, therefore, increasing topics in clinical biochemistry. The teaching of a basic or specific subject presents difficulties to the students whose main area of interest is either clinical or applied aspects of the curriculum. The role of biochemistry in medical sciences is not a question of applicability rather it is medicine at the molecular level.

There is no doubt that biochemistry is becoming increasingly important in dentistry. It would be advantageous if the bridge between biochemistry and dentistry is decreased in both teaching and research. An important aspect in teaching biochemistry should be the emphasis that the basic chemical processes occurring in the oral cavity/mouth are the same as those which take place in other tissues and organs of the body.