BACKGROUND
The Department of Oral Biology is one of the foundational departments in the University of Ghana Dental School (UGDS), providing essential knowledge that bridges the basic medical sciences and clinical dental practice. It is devoted to understanding the structure, function, and development of oral and craniofacial tissues, alongside the biological mechanisms underlying oral health and disease. The department offers comprehensive teaching and in Anatomy, Physiology and Dental Morphology as related to the human oral and maxillofacial complex.
Oral Biology is a core component of the dental curriculum, delivered through lectures, laboratory sessions, and tutorials. The department’s teaching supports undergraduate dental training in collaboration with other departments.

ORAL ANATOMY AND HISTOLOGY
Oral Anatomy and Histology introduces students to the morphology of the head and neck, with particular emphasis on the oral cavity and associated structures. The course explores the microscopic structure of oral tissues, including enamel, dentin, cementum, pulp, oral mucosa, and periodontal tissues. Students learn to identify normal and pathological features of oral tissues.
This component equips students with the foundational knowledge to understand disease mechanisms and interpret clinical conditions from a structural and cellular perspective.

ORAL PHYSIOLOGY
Oral Physiology explores the functions of structures in the oral and maxillofacial region. It covers mechanisms of mastication, deglutition, salivary secretion, taste perception, and pain transmission, among others. Students are introduced to the physiological basis of oral functions and how they relate to general physiology.
The course prepares students to understand normal function and to recognize functional deviations that may indicate pathology.

DENTAL MORPHOLOGY
Dental Morphology introduces students to the morphology of primary and permanent human dentition. Emphasis is placed on the identification and comparison of different tooth types, understanding their structural features, and recognizing their functional roles within the oral cavity. Laboratory sessions involve hands-on activities such as tooth carving and modelling to reinforce theoretical knowledge and develop manual dexterity essential for clinical practice.

DEPARTMENTAL FACULTY
Dr. Paul M. Matondo – Lecturer / Ag. Head of Department BSc, MPhil, MGCS, DMD
Dr. Kwabena G. Amoah – Senior Lecturer BSc, MD, FWFO, FGCS
(From the Dept. of Orthodontics and Paedodontics)
Prof. Sandra A. Hewlett – Associate Professor BDS, M.Clin. Dent., FGCS, FWACS, PhD
(From the Dept. of Restorative Dentistry)
Dr. Yaw Amankwah Boateng – Part-Time Lecturer BSc, BDS, MPhil, FGCS
Dr. Daniel Tometi – Senior Lecturer BSc. BDS, Dipl. ABP, FGCPS
(From the Dept. of Community Dentistry)