Faculty of Health Sciences
School of Dentistry
Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Biology
Selected Highlights from Research Findings
The Department has one of only a few flow cytometers in the country dedicated for DNA content analyses. This is used to determine the DNA content in a variety of solid tumours and has shown to be of value in the grading process of selected tumours. The possible use of this technique in forensic dentistry, more specifically to determine the post mortem interval, is also explored. This include research into bite mark analysis in collaboration with the Forensic unit of the SAPS and the different features found in the teeth of individuals living in Gauteng. From preliminary findings it would appear that the dental features, like fingerprints, are unique for each individual.
Contact person: Prof WFP van Heerden.
Collaboration between the Department and the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences has resulted in the development of a research field in comparative study of head and neck pathology in animals. New entities have been documented and new classifications of certain intra-oral tumours are in the process of being developed. It has also been demonstrated that, contrary to previous published reports, nerve fibres do exist in pulpal tissue of elephant tusks.
Contact person: Prof WFP van Heerden.
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