Program Description
Increasingly, it is recognised that the health consequences of many orofacial diseases are both local and general (Fig. 1). Loss of teeth, pain, abnormal mastication and speech and orofacial deformities generate negative impacts on nutritional status, psychological and social state, vigilance and maintenance of airway space. There is also strong evidence of a significant association between infections of the periodontal tissues of the maternal oral cavity and premature births and pre-eclampsia, jeopardising foetal, child and maternal health.
The primary objective of this Program is to increase the capacity of the Canadian oral health research community to enhance the quality of life of those suffering from local and general consequences of orofacial diseases. It is aimed to attract highly qualified applicants from Canada and abroad, and particular emphasis will be given to the recruitment of dentists into combined PhD/advanced clinical training programs.
Objectives
The objectives of the training program to enhance oral health are:
- 1. To expand the focus of oral health research through practical and transdisciplinary research training.
2. To incorporate training in research methodologies from a variety disciplines.
3. To promote ethical and responsible conduct in research and clinical practice.
4. To encourage the recruitment and retention of outstanding Canadian and international trainees in the oral health sciences.
5. To provide training for young mentors, including clinical professors.
6. To advance the transfer to knowledge between researchers, health care providers, policy makers and consumers.