Genome technologies and personalized dental medicine

Abstract

The addition of genomic information to our understanding of oral disease is driving important changes in oral health care. It is anticipated that genome-derived information will promote a deeper understanding of disease etiology and permit earlier diagnosis, allowing for preventative measures prior to disease onset rather than treatment that attempts to repair the diseased state. Advances in genome technologies have fueled expectations for this proactive healthcare approach. Application of genomic testing is expanding and has already begun to find its way into the practice of clinical dentistry. To take full advantage of the information and technologies currently available, it is vital that dental care providers, consumers, and policymakers be aware of genomic approaches to understanding of oral diseases and the application of genomic testing to disease diagnosis and treatment. Ethical, legal, clinical, and educational initiatives are also required to responsibly incorporate genomic information into the practice of dentistry. This article provides an overview of the application of genomic technologies to oral health care and introduces issues that require consideration if we are to realize the full potential of genomics to enable the practice of personalized dental medicine.

Decision support systems for adoption in dental clinics: A survey

“…More specifically in oral healthcare, Garcia et al (2013) argues that personalised medicine based on the individual's unique genetic, molecular and clinical profile should be the aim for researchers and dental practitioners in providing quality, customised and effective healthcare. Eng et al (2012) anticipates that applying genomic information to oral disease diagnosis will allow a better understanding of disease aetiology, leading to preventive measures being implemented prior to disease onset.…”

Implications of genomics in oral health

“…Decrease in the proline-rich protein levels increases the susceptibility of dental caries. [35] Defect in KLK4 gene coding for a protein expressed during enamel maturation causes a decrease in the hardness of enamel thereby increases the susceptibility of an individual to caries. Identification of specific gene changes and interaction aids the dentist in identifying the caries risk individuals so that more frequent oral hygienic maintenance and aggressive treatment plan can be established.…”

Personalized nanomedicine advancements for stem cell tracking

“…Although personalized medicine arose from pharmacogenetics [17], it has now infiltrated many fields of healthcare [18–20]. Despite the advances in pharmacology, it became apparent that many disorders were beyond the capabilities of current treatment methods [21].…”