The Science of Dental Materials is a basic science subject taught in the second year BDS which deals with the physical, mechanical, chemical & biological properties of all materials used in conventional & modern dentistry. An understanding of properties and handling of materials is absolutely essential in both clinical and laboratory settings. It involves the study of composition, manipulative technique, application of dental materials and their interaction with the oral environment.

The Department of Dental Materials aims to provide the students with the scientific background and the clinical skills required to handle modern dental materials. The department has a dedicated, state of the art laboratory which enables the students to practice the manipulative techniques before their application in the clinical setup.

Future plans:

Dental Materials will provide opportunity for multidisciplinary research in dentistry. It will produce scientists and researchers of the future who can develop and use various materials for the betterment of the society. The emphasis of the program is on the application of composites, polymers, ceramics, smart materials and other biomaterials in the field of dentistry. It will help in formulating new healthcare solutions and accelerating research innovation for patient care and well-being.

Recent achievements :

Awareness Lecture regarding COVID-19 at School in January

Awareness Lecture regarding Vaccine at School in January

Participation in International Women’s Day as Guest of Honor at Rock Climbing Competition

RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS SINCE 2015

1. Comparison of number of cusps in permanent mandibular first molars in different ethnic groups of khyber pakhtunkhwa. Pakistan Oral & Dental Journal Vol 39, No. 2 (April-June 2019) Abida Saleem
2. Undergraduate dental students’ perceptions of educational strategies at Foundation College of dentistry. POJ 2019:11(1) 39-44 Abida Saleem
3. Analysis of mode of fracture and adhesive remnant index of self-adhesive composite resin on sound and bleached enamel surface POJ 2019:11(2) 84-89 Abida Saleem
4. Study on tooth morphological variations among various ethnic groups of Pakistan. PODJ 2018;38(2):156-159 Abida Saleem
5. “Comparison of Two Intra-Canal Medicaments in the Resolution of Epical Radiolucency”; JAMC, 30(3), 320-324 2018 Shahreen Zahid
6. In vitro analysis of shear bond strength of self-adhesive resin and its variability on bleached enamel. Esculapio 2017;13(3):111-113 Abida Saleem
7. Comparative analysis of bleached and sound enamel structure through scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Pak Armed Forces Med J 2015;65(3):371-373 Abida Saleem
8. Comparison of local and imported osteosynthatic mandibular bone plates in terms of micro hardness in modified simulated body fluid at periodic intervals. Pak Armed Forces Med J 2015;65(2):198-201 Abida Saleem
9. Synthesis of an experimental anti-cariogenic composite containing novel drug-decorated copper /First author (Materials of Science and engineering C, 2020). Mehwish Pasha
10. Drug prescription among dental students: A survey of current knowledge and awareness /second author (PODJ, 2018).Mehwish Pasha
11. Comparison of with or without a buccal flap for the removal of partially impacted mandibular 3rd molar in terms of post-operative mean pain and mean swelling score /Co-author (JSMC, 2017).Mehwish Pasha

CONFERENCES

1. Oral Presentation at 7th International Symposium on Biomedical Materials, 2019. (Mehwish Pasha)
2. Participated and earned first prize at “Biomaterials Summer Camp”held in Interdisciplinary Research Centre of Biomedical Materials, COMSATS Lahore, 2017 (Mehwish Pasha)