DENTAL ANTHROPOLOGY

General Module

Course Sheet

Course code:

IG12A4B

Academic Year of enrolment:

2021

Year of supply:

2021/2022

Type of Course:

Basic

Degree:

Course of 1st Cycle Degree in DENTAL HYGIENE

Disciplinary Sector:

Population Studies, Ethnography and Anthropology

Is part of:

DEMO-ETHNO-ANTHROPOLOGICAL DISCIPLINES

Location:

CHIETI

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

D'ANASTASIO RUGGERO

Cycle:

Second semester

Obligatory attendance:

Yes

Hours of classroom activity:

Individual study hours:

Prerequisites:

No prerequisites

Objectives

At the moment there are no reference books, so that, during the course
and during the exercise, a dispensation will be provided consisting of
articles and chapters from monographs of interest to the dental
anthropology.
The Course of Study (CdS) in Dental Hygiene aims to train professionals
who, with professional autonomy, perform the technical procedures
necessary to perform diagnostic procedures on biological materials,
collaborate in the compilation of the odontostomatological clinical record
and deal with the collection of technical and statistical data.
Taking into account the aims of the CdS, the general objective of the course is to provide knowledge on the morphometric variability of the dental characters. The human dentition shows a morphometric variability
linked to the sex and age of the patients, as well as to the population to which they belong. The knowledge of the variability of dental characters is the prerequisite for the correct collection of scientific data necessary for the application of odontological techniques such as, for example,
those of personal identification in the forensic field. Specifically, the
course aims to provide the knowledge and skills on the basic methodologies necessary to undertake study and research activities in the field of Dental Anthropology. The course therefore intends to present
methodologies of analysis, case studies, practical applications in the study of teeth. In particular, it illustrates the classic research methods and the new survey methods applied in Dental Anthropology based on the experiences gained by the Anthropology Section of the "G.
D'Annunzio" University.

Contents

The course describes the morphometric variability of the dentition of both
the species that preceded modern humans and of current human
populations. It also describes the main archaeological and forensic survey
techniques that have teeth as data source.

Extended Syllabus

Introduction to Dental Anthropology with presentation of the program.
Definition and history of the discipline. Overview of anatomy and dental
histology. Importance of the study of human remains, in particular of the
teeth, as a contribution to the history of medicine (in particular of the
dental practice) and of the evolution of the masticatory apparatus. The
study of teeth in paleoanthropology and palethnology: morpho-functional
changes from early hominids to modern humans. Comparative
odontology: comparison of the teeth of different living and fossil species.
The study of teeth in archeology: reconstruction of eating habits, stress
indicators (case study – Herculaneum population’s hypoplasia) and the
state of health of a population (paleopathology). Variability of dental
wear. Methods of studying dental wear caused by feeding, cultural
practices, intentional modifications. Importance of the study of teeth in
application to forensic odontology. The variability of metric characters.
Variability concept. Tools and methods. Case studies. Variability of nonmetric characters, or "anomalies". Causes and manifestations. Case
studies. Sexual dimorphism and age estimation. Utilities in physical and
forensic anthropology. The diachronic and synchronic ethnic variability.
Case studies on ancient and modern populations. New investigation
techniques: μCT in the light of Sincrotrone; study of trace elements (eg
laser ablation). Exercise in the osteology laboratory of the Operative Unit
of Anthropology: osteometry, Identification of maxillary and mandibular
fragments; identification of dental elements. Wear analysis; age
estimate.

Recommended Bibliography

Teaching Methods

Lectures and laboratory activities

Evaluation methods

Verification of learning:

The verification of learning will take place through a closed-response test.
The test consists of fifteen questions useful for assessing both the
knowledge of the variability of dental characters and odontometric
methods, and the technical-scientific skills in the choice of the most
suitable methods to be applied taking into account the objectives and the
athletes/sportsmen sample. The vote is expressed in thirtieths.

Contacts/More Information

Student reception on Monday at 12.00 am at the Operative Unit of
Anthropology. Contacts: tel. 0871.3553502; e-mail: r.danastasio@unich.it

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

Aree