Research at the Institute of Dentistry
Research at the Institute of Dentistry at the University of Turku has been active, innovative and internationally recognized since the early 1960's. The research has led to a number of clinical and commercial applications. Consequently, the Institute of Dentistry is known for its high-quality research.
The widely recognized areas of research include, e.g. in vivo studies of tooth microcirculation, research on craniofacial growth and development, xylitol studies, and other laboratory and clinical studies on caries prevention, studies of viral infections on mucosal surfaces, as well as research on biomaterials. Pioneering research has also been conducted in, e.g. stomatognathic physiology, pain, and salivary research.
The main target of almost all the studies has been the prevention of oral diseases and, in fact, Turku is known worldwide in this field.
Some research groups of the Institute belong to the BioCity Turku profiling research programmes. The Biomaterials Research Programme is run by the Institute of Dentistry. The research laboratories are located in the Dentalia and PharmaCity buildings. The new core-facility laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine, Turku Clinical Biomaterials Centre – TCBC, is located in the PharmaCity.
Research groups of the Institute of Dentistry have a wide international network. Research is funded by the European Comission, the Academy of Finland, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation (TEKES) and industry.
The departments at the Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku work in close collaboration with each other in teaching as well as in research.
The speciality of Clinical Dentistry covers the disciplines of Cariology (including endodontics), Prostodontics (including Stomatognathic Physiology), Periodontology, and Pediatric Dentistry. Also Oral Diagnosis, Oral Pathology, and Oral Radiology are included within this specialty. The other three recognized specialities in the institute are Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, and Public Health.