Learn About Careers in Dental Research

“We have developed caries risk tools for early childhood and are now focusing on the school age years into early adolescence.

“We are conducting in vitro studies of biofilms. Chemical and biofilms caries models are important to understand how biofilms react with tooth surfaces and how cavities develop in response to different conditions.

“A career in cariology relies on many years of study, but it is very rewarding. I have been able to collaborate with wonderful communities of people in different parts of the world, all committed to improving the health of children worldwide.”

“Currently, my lab is studying skeletal malocclusions (severe underbite and overbites) to understand the genetics and shape changes, so we can predict who will develop the condition.

“Using 3D computational analysis, we examine craniofacial development and compare the differences in healthy groups and individuals with specific diseases.

“My research enables me to understand the condition in more detail, informs earlier diagnosis and predicts craniofacial development. To do this, my research relies on a strong partnership with patients who contribute their time, data and experience to help me find answers.”

“My research has included looking at non-syndromic clefts – a birth defect where the nasal and oral cavities have not divided completely – in populations of African descent.

“The African Craniofacial Anomalies Network is a collaboration between scientists in Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Rwanda. We aim to train and build capacity in Africa for research into dental and craniofacial diseases, to investigate the genetics and environmental causes of dental and craniofacial diseases, and to create opportunities for transdisciplinary and global research.

“Genetics is a rapidly evolving field, and there is need for constant training and retraining to keep abreast with the dynamic research environment.”

“We take a bedside-to-bench approach to studying oral mucosal immunity, aiming to understand oral diseases in people and help treat them.

“Research in our lab combines many types of work, ranging from seeing patients in the clinic to performing wet lab experiments, analyzing data and applying computational approaches.

“We are thrilled that our lab has been able to partner with scientists and clinicians from many fields with the idea that diverse perspectives can help tackle complex questions in biology and medicine.”

“Our lab is studying how teeth form and how the lining of the mouth (the oral mucosa) can heal so quickly and without scarring.

“To study craniofacial and dental birth defects, we perform a variety of studies, including using mouse and zebrafish animal models, experiments with cells derived from patients, and genetic and phenotypic analyses of the patients themselves.

“By learning how stem cells fuel both normal turnover of tissues as well as repair of injuries and other types of damage, we are laying a foundation for harnessing the regenerative power of these amazing cells and thinking about how to use them therapeutically.”

“My lab conducts research on stem cell-based therapies for the regeneration of oral tissues. We are currently trying to determine how stem cells from the body can be procured, cultivated and re-introduced to the body to repair, regenerate and reconstruct diseased and damaged tissues.

“This stem cell therapy could have great impact on people and their everyday lives by enabling treatment of debilitating conditions for which there are currently limited treatment options.

“Using stem cell therapies to successfully treat patients in our clinical trials and seeing the impact it has had on patients are highlights of my career.”

“Many individuals from vulnerable communities have similar experiences. These include difficulties accessing dental care, high sugar diets, and inadequate fluoride exposure – all of which pose risks for their oral health.

“Oral health inequities in childhood can lead to pain, missing teeth, hospitalizations, systemic diseases and missed school days. These factors have lifelong consequences, many of which are irreversible.

“It’s an absolute joy working with children though pediatric dentistry. My research is aimed at breaking the disease cycle. Conducting research that has a positive impact on vulnerable families is something I am very proud of.”

“If a person’s immune system is weak, they may develop more infections (from either bacteria, viruses or fungi), and some of these infections can happen in the mouth.

“The immune system can also be overactive, when a person has an autoimmune disease. There are many different autoimmune diseases, with each one affecting a different part of the body that is being attacked by overreactive immune cells.

“My career highlights include having the opportunity to work with multidisciplinary teams for my work in HIV (a condition where the body’s immune system is unable to fight off infection or disease), and for my work in Sjögren’s disease (a condition where the body attacks glands that secrete fluid).”