Biomedical and Dental Sciences: Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Microbiology
Anatomy you must be able to apply
Know the dentitions, tooth morphology, eruption chronology, and the nerve and blood supply relevant to local anaesthesia. For mandibular blocks, understand the inferior alveolar, lingual, and buccal nerve relationships and the risks of needle misplacement. Traps include confusing primary and permanent eruption times and misidentifying which teeth are typically retained or ectopic.
Oral microbiology and caries
Dental caries is a biofilm-mediated, diet-modulated, multifactorial disease. Understand the role of fermentable carbohydrates, acid production, salivary buffering, and cariogenic bacteria. Periodontal disease involves dysbiotic plaque and host inflammatory response, not simply a single pathogen. Questions frequently test the distinction between plaque-induced gingivitis, which is reversible, and periodontitis, which involves attachment loss.
Pathology and systemic links
Recognise common oral mucosal lesions, their benign and malignant potential, and red flags: non-healing ulcer, induration, unexplained bleeding, persistent white or red patches. Understand how diabetes, smoking, immunosuppression, and medications (for example, bisphosphonates and antihypertensives causing gingival overgrowth) modify oral disease.
Physiology relevant to practice
Haemostasis, wound healing, pain pathways, and the stress response matter for safe treatment. Know why adrenaline-containing local anaesthetic is used cautiously in some cardiovascular states.
Worked rule of thumb
Any oral lesion that does not resolve within about two weeks after removing an obvious cause should be referred for investigation. Document size, site, and duration.
Applied microbiology
Infection control principles follow standard precautions, assuming every patient may carry bloodborne pathogens.