This foundation course provides students the required knowledge in normal development and potential abnormalities in growth of the craniofacial and dentoalveolar complex in specific and somatic growth in general. The role of cell biology and genetics in health and disease will also be presented in this course enhancing student’s ability to diagnose craniofacial aberrations and treatment plan for malocclusion of the dental arches and the face. The course will discuss the complexity of the caries process and its epidemiology, etiology with emphasis on the role of different preventive modalities in the management of dental caries in childhood and adolescence including children with special health care needs.