The Department of Oral Biology has been an integral component of the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry (MCG SOD) since its inception in 1970.  The department was established based on the premise that the teaching of basic sciences to future dentists must be tailored to their unique needs in relation to the clinical practice of dentistry.  As a result, the Department of Oral Biology has received the strong support of the founding Dean of MCG SOD, Dr. Judson Hickie, a tradition that has continued by his successors, Dr. David Myers and the present Dean, Dr. Connie L. Drisko.  At this time, the Department of Oral Biology is composed of 15 full-time faculty, 1 part time faculty and 16 joint/adjunct faculty and 5 administrative assistants.  Approximately half of the faculty in the department have dual trainings (i.e., Ph.D. in a basic science discipline as well as training in dentistry, medicine, pharmacy or/and law).   

The mission of the Department of Oral Biology is consistent with the tripartite mission of the MCG in relation to Teaching, Research and Service.  Consequently, all basic science teaching at the level of predoctoral dental and postdoctoral dental programs (and some dental hygiene curriculum) is conducted by the faculty of the Department of Oral Biology, a testimony to the versatility of the knowledge base of the faculty.  In addition, the faculty of the Department of Oral Biology is very active in research in a variety of areas including bone biology, dentin properties, fluoride biology, interaction and compatibility of biomaterials with the oral environment, salivary gland research, oral cancer research as well as the impact of prevalent systemic disorders (e.g., diabetes mellitus, obesity and systemic hypertension) on target organs including the oral cavity.  The Department of Oral biology is also central to providing graduate training at the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy levels.   Finally, the faculty of the Department of Oral Biology serves on a variety of school- and institution-wide committees and serves the dental profession through membership and involvement in professional organizations at local, national and international levels. 

We invite you to learn more about the Department of Oral Biology by visiting the webpage for each faculty.  Those interested to learn more about research opportunities in the department should contact individual faculty. 

Thank you.

Mahmood S. Mozafari, Ph.D., DMD
Professor and Interim Chair
Mmozaffa@mail.mcg.edu