Graduate Program in Dentistry was established in 1995 with the intent to expand conventional dental training into modern integrated oral medicine discipline that encompasses oral cavity, upper and lower jaws, and head and neck. The Institute also aims to foster research personnel capable of performing independent research that unites basic science and clinical 
practice. With our excellent faculty and facilities, we are able to engage in research projects that merge the advanced know-how in molecular biology and cell biology and address to the interest and potential of individual students. Our research topics are geared toward: toxicity of dental drugs, genetics of oral cancer, pathology of fibrosis of oral mucosa in betel nut chewing patients, bone repair, dental implant and factors in dental development.
 

The master degree programs focus on basic science training and research of diseases. Those who complete the courses with high marks have the opportunity to apply directly to the PhD program.

The goals of our PhD program are not only to provide ongoing education from the specialty fields of the master degree program,  
but also to investigate and learn about oral medicine knowledge and practice in other parts of the world.

Currently, we provide the following six fields of study at the doctoral level.

1. Studies on the mechanisms of oral cancer and clinical application
For the past several years, one of the focuses of our Institute has been on the study of the mechanism of oral cancer and clinical application. We employ modern technologies of molecular biology and cell biology to investigate the mechanism of oral cancer, the interaction between oral environment and cancer genetics and signal transduction pathways. Additionally, we combine the research of pharmacology and oral cancer therapy.

2. Development of compatibility and toxicology of oral biomaterials
Graduate School of Dentistry has combined resources with the Institute of Oral Biology and Biomaterial Science in the development and study of compatibility and toxicology of oral materials. Institute of Oral Biology and Biomaterial Science develops oral biomaterials and our Institute studies the compatibility and toxicology of those materials to understand the impact of the new biomaterials on the human body with resultant options for further testing.

3. Studies of implant materials
Research of implant materials is another joint effort between our Institute and Institute of Oral Biology and Biomaterial Science.. We emphasize the design and improvement of implants using the principles of basic engineering.

4. Periodontal diseases and immunology
Periodontal diseases are the most commonly seen oral diseases in Taiwan. Our Institute has been promoting research of the relationship between periodontal diseases and immunology, as well as the relationship between oral bacteria and periodontal diseases, which remains one of the mainstays of our PhD research program. In addition, our periodontal bacterial research laboratory has been working in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA for many years. Furthermore, many of our faculties have studied about the materials associated with guided tissue regeneration of periodontal diseases.

5. Oral public health and epidemiology
Besides traditional molecular and cellular biology research at our Institute, we also conduct oral epidemiology studies, focusing on topics such as, the affects of dental environment and its waste management on health.

　
6. Craniofacial development and bone cell studies
Research on craniofacial development combine genetics and cell biology and focus on the long term prediction of abnormal occlusion. Bone cell studies focus on the effect of orthodontic forces on bone cells.