The Role of the Bacterial Biofilm course for Dental Practice

This session looks at the nature of bacterial biofilms such as dental plaque, how biofilms are formed, and what can be done to maintain them at healthy levels. It also considers the consequences of formation in terms of the microbial interactions that take place.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the nature and properties of biofilms and microbial communities
• Explain the significance of dental plaque as both a biofilm and a microbial community
• Outline the key stages in the biological development of dental plaque
• Explain the microbial interactions that occur in plaque biofilms
• Identify the main methods used to manage dental plaque

The session also outlines the variations in the composition of plaque on different tooth surfaces. However, a full description of the microbial diversity of these oral biofilms is beyond the scope of this session.