Oral Biology is concerned with the nature of the oral and craniofacial tissues and with the application of basic scientific knowledge to oral tissues in health and disease. The courses and research programs in the Department deal with the origin, growth and development, structure and functions of oral tissues, as well as with the etiology and pathogenesis of oral diseases and malfunctions. By its nature, oral biology overlaps the basic medical sciences and clinical dental sciences. Our Department's research programs prepare one to contribute to the understanding of basic biologic processes and behavioral, biomedical and clinical aspects of oral health.