Organization & Divisions

Organization

Faculty Organisational Structure
Faculty Organisational Structure

Applied Oral Sciences & Community Dental Care

HKU Faculty of Dentistry Community Dental Care

Community Dental Care is concerned with improving the oral health of individuals and communities through the promotion of oral health, the prevention of oral diseases, the provision and administration of oral health care services within the community. The discipline provides undergraduate, taught postgraduate (MSc in Community Dentistry), research postgraduate (MPhil/ PhD) and speciality training in Community Dentistry. We recognize the role of behavioural, social and environmental factors as determinants of oral health. We aim to advance the oral health of the population through the practice of evidence-based dentistry, and the effective and efficient management of oral health care services and resources, especially for those requiring special care.

Dental Materials Science

Dental Materials Science is one of the very original disciplines at our Faculty, active since 1982. DMS is an integral part of dental sciences and contributes extensively in preclinical teaching. We operate also our own taught postgraduate (Master) program MSc(DMS) which is a full-time, no patient contact study. Research in DMS is mainly laboratory studies covering chemical, mechanical and physical properties of materials in clinical dentistry: ceramics, metals, polymers, composite and hybrid materials, primers and other adhesion promoters, be they synthetic or natural. Today our interests cover also biomechanics, biomineralisation, dental education, and artificial intelligence (AI).

Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology

Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology uses various imaging modalities to visualize the orofacial region for diagnostic purposes, and deals with radiation effects on humans, as well as radiation dose protection. Basic two-dimensional imaging in OMFR modalities comprises intra- and extra-oral imaging, whereas advanced three-dimensional procedures mainly focus on cone beam computed tomography. Nevertheless, non-ionizing procedures such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance tomography are emerging for indications in the head-and-neck region. OMFR aims to help in the acquisition and interpretation of radiographic images to facilitate diagnosis, treatment planning, and the surgical decision-making process for clinicians through research, teaching, and practice.

Oral Biosciences

Oral Biosciences researchers are investigating topics within two major domains: 1) oral microbiology and the oral microbiome; 2) oral biology and oral/dental tissue regeneration. Major research foci in domain 1 include: the oral microbiome associated with periodontal/peri-implant diseases. Oral Spirochete bacteria: genome biology and clinical distributions. Bacterial physiology and molecular biology, especially relating to the stringent response, and polyphosphate and nucleotide metabolism. Bacterial peptidases and their role in biofilm formation and oral diseases. Major research foci in domain 2 include: vascularised tissue regeneration: in particular, the development of methods to enhance post-implantation cell survival and angiogenesis in cell-based tissue engineering approaches, unravelling the molecular mechanisms behind lineage specific differentiation of tooth-derived stem cells, and the fabrication of bio-mimetic constructs that can provide micro-environmental cues necessary for stem cell function.

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

HKU Faculty of Dentistry

The Division of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is a vibrant and busy clinical academic specialty concerned with the diagnosis and surgical management of disease, deformity and injury of the mouth, jaws, face and neck. Recognized as a centre of excellence in the Asia-Pacific Region, our clinical, research and teaching expertise includes the diagnosis and management of oral cancers, salivary gland diseases, facial asymmetry and disproportion, oro-facial pain, temporomandibular joint disorders, impacted teeth, cysts and tumours of the jaws as well as disorders affecting the oral mucosa such as ulceration, infections and potentially malignant disorders.

Paediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

HKU Faculty of Dentistry

The discipline of Paediatric Dentistry includes the promotion, practice, teaching and research in the comprehensive oral health care for children from birth to adolescence. Preventive and therapeutic oral care is especially given to children with special health care needs, developmental problems, dento-oral anomalies, and traumatic injuries. We also coordinate multidisciplinary care for children with complex oral health conditions e.g. cleft lip and palate. We are the basic and higher training centres for the Specialty of Paediatric Dentistry in Hong Kong. Our research focuses on paediatric oral health, dentofacial growth and development, clinical guidelines development, dental pain and dental bonding.

Committing in teaching, research, and patient care, the discipline of Orthodontics provides a top-notch undergraduate education in basic knowledge of orthodontics and postgraduate teaching in diagnosis, prevention, interception, and correction of malocclusion and other dentofacial abnormalities. We are the basic and higher training center of orthodontic specialty of Hong Kong. Our research focuses on the mechanism of orthodontic tooth movement, three-dimensional imaging in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment, and sleep disordered breathing treated with orthodontic appliances. Besides, the orthodontic clinical faculty members and trainees provide interceptive, comprehensive, and multidisciplinary orthodontic care to patients of all ages.

Periodontology & Implant Dentistry

HKU Faculty of Dentistry

The Division of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry strives for oral/periodontal and peri-implant health of the Hong Kong population and beyond. Our aim is to provide world-class undergraduate / postgraduate / research education and professional training in Periodontology and Implant Dentistry. Our postgraduate program in Periodontology (MDS Periodontology) is the only program in Asia Pacific Region that is internationally accredited by the European Federation of Periodontology. The divisional team is highly committed to conduct basic, translational and clinical research for making new discoveries, inspiring innovative approaches in periodontal science to improving and refining prevention, diagnosis and treatment in clinical practice, and committing ourselves towards excellent professional services to the local community at large and beyond; to engage and collaborate with colleagues globally; and to develop and maintain the Faculty of Dentistry at The University of Hong Kong as one of the global hubs of professional training, research and knowledge exchange in Periodontology / Implant Dentistry.

Restorative Dental Sciences

HKU Faculty of Dentistry Cariology

Cariology encompasses the study of the disease processes associated with dental caries, its detection, risk assessment, prevention, and treatment. The management of caries lesions ranges from early identification, prevention/lesion arrest via sealants, fluorides and calcium-based products up to clinical treatment of broken-down teeth via the placement of direct and indirect restorations to restore form, function and aesthetics. The management of tooth wear and aesthetic treatment of teeth with tooth bleaching and veneers is also covered within the Discipline. The overall aim of Cariology is to improve patients’ oral health outcomes and quality of life.

Endodontology

Endodontology refers to the study of the form, function and health, injuries to, and diseases of the dental pulp and periradicular tissues, and their prevention and treatment. The clinical practice of Endodontics deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of pathological processes in the dental pulp and of consequent changes in the periradicular tissues originating in the root canal system of the tooth. It includes the aetiology and diagnosis of dental pain and diseases of pulpal origin, and the restoration or replacement of endodontically treated teeth.

Prosthodontics

Prosthodontics is the dental specialty related to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort and aesthetics of patients exhibiting clinical conditions resulting from the deficiency or loss of teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues by the use of aesthetic, biocompatible replacements. The replacements may take the form of fixed or removable partial dentures, complete dentures or implant rehabilitation. The specialty also manages temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). The focus of prosthetic treatments is on patient centred management to maintain a good quality of life.