Invited commentary: The need for human genetics and genomics in dental school curricula

Implementation of public health genomics and applications to public health dentistry

National and state public health genomics efforts exist to effectively and responsibly translate genome-based knowledge to improve population health and reduce health disparities. Over the past two decades, public health genomics efforts have utilized the core public health functions of assessment, policy development, and assurance. Current evidence for a small number of genomic applications suggests that many lives could be saved if these were implemented in recommended populations. With the drastic increase in new genetic tests and technologies, multidisciplinary public health genomics efforts that should include public health dentistry are of greater importance. There is a need to integrate public health dentistry in efforts to increase use of evidence-based genomic tests and services to improve health outcomes. Additionally, public health genomic efforts also are utilized to promote awareness about the insufficient evidence of the validity, utility and ethical, legal, and social implications for the vast majority of genomic tests. This is demonstrated by a recent genetic testing policy statement and educational resources from the American Dental Association. These organizational efforts should be considered in other realms of public health genomics to ensure that only genetic tests and preventive services with sufficient evidence for use are being implemented in clinical and public health.

32 and you - genetic testing for dental disorders

Genetic testing for serious illness and disease is becoming increasingly embedded in NHS healthcare. It can confirm a clinical diagnosis or guide therapy. Genetic testing for dental developmental disorders has moved beyond the realms of rarified grant-funded research groups and is now sufficiently rapid and affordable to be offered as part of a clinical service in some dental teaching hospitals. The first presentation of some genetic diseases may be in the dental surgery, so the family dentist should hone their diagnostic skills to identify patients who would benefit from referral to a genetics service. While diagnosis may sometimes guide treatment, there are now examples where it can even lead to cure. This article aims to describe some concepts and issues that a dentist should consider when referring for testing for a genetic dental disorder, and proposes that this subject area should be expanded in the dental undergraduate and postgraduate curricula in the UK.