Review Article

Development, Implementation and Evaluation of the Fellowship Course Regenerative Medicine in Dentistry: A Review

Abstract

Introduction: Scientists have developed solutions, for oral health by leveraging advancements in medicine. These solutions, known as “ reconstructive dentistry “ aim to address the limitations and short lifespan of restorative methods. Unlike restorative treatments, reconstructive dentistry focuses on not only restoring the structure of tissues but also their physiological functions. To achieve this, it requires an effort among dentists, biologists, stem cell researchers, material scientists, tissue engineers and other experts. Consequently, this study was carried out to create and evaluate a fellowship program called “Reconstructive Medicine in Dentistry.” The program aims to foster an approach towards reconstruction, in dentistry. Materials and Methods: This research involved three stages. Utilized a mixed method approach. In the first stage, we developed a design based on the Kern model, which involved conducting a review of relevant studies to extract and determine the goals and topics related to medical reconstruction, in dentistry. Expert panel meetings were held to finalize these goals and topics. For each target group, we identified the learners, learning environment and educational strategies. We also made arrangements for implementing the program. Established evaluation methods for both students and the program itself. Subsequently, we implemented the designed curriculum for two groups of students. Finally, we evaluated the program’s effectiveness through questionnaires and semi structured interviews, with students, professors and organizers. The collected data was analyzed using statistics. Results: In 2020 and 2021, two groups of students were meticulously selected from disciplines such as maxillofacial surgeons, oral medicine specialists, periodontists, endodontists, and more, after passing the entrance exam. The primary objective of this program is to educate graduates with the skills to restore missing tissues in the mouth, jaw and facial regions using cutting edge regenerative medicine techniques. The curriculum was developed in collaboration with experts from areas like tissue engineering, dental specialization (including maxillofacial surgeons) biomaterials and developmental biology. Both students and professors expressed satisfaction, with the program. Conclusion: A group of professors, from specialties came together to implement a fellowship program in reconstructive dentistry. The main goal of this program was to train specialists in tissue reconstruction for patients who have suffered jaw and facial injuries; by using advanced methods in medicine. Additionally, this initiative can also be a step towards strengthening the university’s movement towards third and fourth-generation universities. The findings from this study can provide insights, for those involved in planning and implementing interdisciplinary fellowship programs. Keywords: Dentistry; Regenerative medicine; Curriculum design; Interdisciplinary.
1. Amrollahi P, Shah B, Seifi A, Tayebi L. Recent advancements in regenerative dentistry: A review. Materials Science and Engineering: C. 2016;69:1383-90.
2. Ricci JL, Terracio L. Where is dentistry in regenerative medicine? International dental journal. 2011;61:2-10.
3. Galler KM, D’Souza RN. Tissue engineering approaches for regenerative dentistry. Regenerative medicine. 2011;6(1):111-24.
4. Gong T, Heng BC, Lo ECM, Zhang C. Current advance and future prospects of tissue engineering approach to dentin/pulp regenerative therapy. Stem Cells International. 2016;2016.
5. Klein JT, Newell WH. Advancing interdisciplinary studies. Handbook of the undergraduate curriculum: A comprehensive guide to purposes, structures, practices, and change. 1997:393-415.
6. Willett NJ, Boninger ML, Miller LJ, Alvarez L, Aoyama T, Bedoni M, et al. Taking the next steps in regenerative rehabilitation: establishment of a new interdisciplinary field. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. 2020;101(5):917-23.
7. Paul K, Islam A, Volponi AA. Future horizons: embedding the evolving science of regenerative dentistry in a modern, sustainable dental curriculum. British Dental Journal. 2022;232(4):207-10.
8. Hsieh H-F, Shannon SE. Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qualitative health research. 2005;15(9):1277-88.
9. Berthiaume F, Maguire TJ, Yarmush ML. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine: history, progress, and challenges. Annual review of chemical and biomolecular engineering. 2011;2:403-30.
10. Nör JE. Buonocore memorial lecture: tooth regeneration in operative dentistry. Operative Dentistry. 2006;31(6):633-42.
11. Hohlfeld J, de Buys Roessingh A, Hirt-Burri N, Chaubert P, Gerber S, Scaletta C, et al. Tissue engineered fetal skin constructs for paediatric burns. The Lancet. 2005;366(9488):840-2.
12. Warnke P, Springer I, Wiltfang J, Acil Y, Eufinger H, Wehmöller M, et al. Growth and transplantation of a custom vascularised bone graft in a man. The Lancet. 2004;364(9436):766-70.
13. Niklason L, Gao J, Abbott W, Hirschi K, Houser S, Marini R, Langer R. Functional arteries grown in vitro. Science. 1999;284(5413):489-93.
14. Cao Y, Vacanti JP, Paige KT, Upton J, Vacanti CA. Transplantation of chondrocytes utilizing a polymer-cell construct to produce tissue-engineered cartilage in the shape of a human ear. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. 1997;100(2):297-302.
15. Abukawa H, Terai H, Hannouche D, Vacanti JP, Kaban LB, Troulis MJ. Formation of a mandibular condyle in vitro by tissue engineering. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2003;61(1):94-100.
16. Hu B, Nadiri A, Kuchler-Bopp S, Perrin-Schmitt F, Peters H, Lesot H. Tissue engineering of tooth crown, root, and periodontium. Tissue engineering. 2006;12(8):2069-75.
17. Park CH, Rios HF, Jin Q, Bland ME, Flanagan CL, Hollister SJ, Giannobile WV. Biomimetic hybrid scaffolds for engineering human tooth-ligament interfaces. Biomaterials. 2010;31(23):5945-52.
18. Sakai V, Zhang Z, Dong Z, Neiva K, Machado MAdAM, Shi S, et al. SHED differentiate into functional odontoblasts and endothelium. Journal of dental research. 2010;89(8):791-6.
19. Chen H, Tang Z, Liu J, Sun K, Chang SR, Peters MC, et al. Acellular synthesis of a human enamel‐like microstructure. Advanced Materials. 2006;18(14):1846-51.
20. Vaahtokari A, Åberg T, Jernvall J, Keränen S, Thesleff I. The enamel knot as a signaling center in the developing mouse tooth. Mechanisms of development. 1996;54(1):39-43.
21. Cordeiro MM, Dong Z, Kaneko T, Zhang Z, Miyazawa M, Shi S, et al. Dental pulp tissue engineering with stem cells from exfoliated deciduous teeth. Journal of endodontics. 2008;34(8):962-9.
22. Duailibi M, Duailibi S, Young C, Bartlett J, Vacanti J, Yelick P. Bioengineered teeth from cultured rat tooth bud cells. Journal of dental research. 2004;83(7):523-8.
23. Ikeda E, Morita R, Nakao K, Ishida K, Nakamura T, Takano-Yamamoto T, et al. Fully functional bioengineered tooth replacement as an organ replacement therapy. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2009;106(32):13475-80.
24. Hollý D, Klein M, Mazreku M, Zamborský R, Polák Š, Danišovič Ľ, Csöbönyeiová M. Stem Cells and Their Derivatives—Implications for Alveolar Bone Regeneration: A Comprehensive Review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021;22(21):11746.
25. Bennett JH, Beeley JA, Anderson P, Belfield L, Brand HS, Didilescu AC, et al. A core curriculum in the biological and biomedical sciences for dentistry. European journal of dental education. 2020;24(3):433-41.
26. Berkeley-Research-Center. 2023 [Available from: https://vcresearch.berkeley.edu/research-unit/berkeley-stem-cell-center.
27. MIT-University. 2023 [Available from: https://meche.mit.edu/featured-classes/tissue-engineering-and-regenerative-medicine.
28. Standford-University. 2023 [Available from: https://meche.mit.edu/featured-classes/tissue-engineering-and-regenerative-medicine.
29. Bansal R, Jain A. Current overview on dental stem cells applications in regenerative dentistry. Journal of natural science, biology, and medicine. 2015;6(1):29.
30. Chalisserry EP, Nam SY, Park SH, Anil S. Therapeutic potential of dental stem cells. Journal of tissue engineering. 2017;8:2041731417702531.
31. Miura M, Gronthos S, Zhao M, Lu B, Fisher LW, Robey PG, Shi S. SHED: stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2003;100(10):5807-12.
32. Qu G, Li Y, Chen L, Chen Q, Zou D, Yang C, Zhou Q. Comparison of osteogenic differentiation potential of human dental-derived stem cells isolated from dental pulp, periodontal ligament, dental follicle, and alveolar bone. Stem cells international. 2021;2021.
33. Wu J, Chen L, Wang R, Song Z, Shen Z, Zhao Y, et al. Exosomes secreted by stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth promote alveolar bone defect repair through the regulation of angiogenesis and osteogenesis. ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering. 2019;5(7):3561-71.
34. Cowpe J, Plasschaert A, Harzer W, Vinkka‐Puhakka H, Walmsley AD. Profile and competences for the graduating European dentist–update 2009. European Journal of Dental Education. 2010;14(4):193-202.
35. Association AD. Commission on Dental Accreditation. Accreditation standards for dental hygiene education programs. 2005.
36. Jamal H, Elhussein M. Integration of regenerative dentistry into the dental undergraduate curriculum. Frontiers in Dental Medicine. 2020;1:596189.
37. Herman-Ostrow-School-of-Dentistry-of-USC. 2023 [Available from: https://dentistry.usc.edu/admission/biomedical-implants-and-tissue-engineering-ms/.
38. Maryland-School-of-Dentistry. 2023 [Available from: https://www.dental.umaryland.edu/aost/biomaterials-and-tissue-engineering/.
Files
IssueVol 11, No 2 (Spring 2024) QRcode
SectionReview Article(s)
Keywords
Dentistry; Regenerative medicine; Curriculum design; Interdisciplinary.

Rights and permissions
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
1.
Bahrami N, Bayat M, Ai J, Shirazian S, Mohammadi F, Mohajeri Tehrani M, Khabaz Mafinejad M. Development, Implementation and Evaluation of the Fellowship Course Regenerative Medicine in Dentistry: A Review. J Craniomaxillofac Res. 2024;11(2):70-78.