The significance of teaching human biochemistry to dental students

Abstract

Objectives: Biochemistry instructions in dental studies should highlight the fact that the basic biochemical processes occurring in the oral cavity are the same as those that take place in other tissues and organs of the body. Saliva is a complex fluid that plays an essential role in the maintenance of oral health and contains a wide range of proteins, enzymes (lysozyme, lactoferrin, peroxidases) and secretory immunoglobulins. Salivary cationic peptides and defense proteins, such as lysozyme, salivary amylase, cystatins, mucins, peroxidases, and statherin, are primarily responsible for innate immunity. The role of collagen, which forms a large part of the organic material of dentin, should be given prominence in the study of proteins. The study of carbohydrates and lipids is also an important topic, since the digestion of starch and lipids begins in the oral cavity due to the presence of various enzymes, e.g., amylase and lipase. The biochemistry syllabus for dental sciences should also include the role of weak acids and bases and buffers to help students understand the buffering capacity of saliva and its implications for oral health. Patients with poor glycemic control are more prone to oral manifestations of diabetes, including periodontal disease, salivary gland dysfunction, halitosis, burning mouth sensation, delayed wound healing, and increased susceptibility to infection. Diabetic patients are also at greater risk of an intraoperative diabetic emergency in the dental clinic. Therefore, dentists must appreciate and implement important dental management considerations when providing care to diabetic patients. Strategies to investigate bleeding disorders can help guide stepwise, rational testing for inherited and acquired causes of bleeding. It is clear that biochemistry is becoming increasingly important in the field of dentistry, and this should be reflected in both teaching and research.