Imagine if, at your next trip to your dentist’s office, you were given a virtual reality headset to distract you, your treatment plan had been generated by artificial intelligence (AI) and you were screened for genetic factors that could predispose you to colorectal cancer.
That’s the future envisioned by researchers at ÂĚñÉç’s Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences. With expertise in a remarkable variety of disciplines – including biomaterials, cellular biology and neuroscience – they are producing research that can change lives.
“Researchers in our Faculty are not only advancing the frontiers of dental medicine but also redefining the future of patient and preventative care,” said Bettina Willie, Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Education in the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences.
“Their pioneering work using technology and AI is setting new standards in oral health research and is driving transformative innovation.”
A novel approach to cancer
The robust research taking place at the Faculty includes work by graduate student Sydnie Zuckerman on the genetic links between periodontal disease and colorectal cancer, the third most common cancer in Canada.
A potential link between the two diseases emerged in the early 2000s. Zuckerman’s study is the first to compile a comprehensive list of genes involved in periodontal disease, providing a foundation for investigating genetic factors connecting periodontal disease to systemic conditions, including colorectal cancer.
“Currently, no one has conclusively identified these shared genes, primarily because we lack a complete list of the genetic factors implicated in each disease,” said Amal Idrissi Janati, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences and Zuckerman’s supervisor. “Sydnie’s work will help bridge that gap.”
While the work is still ongoing, “we’re realizing there are common genes,” confirmed Zuckerman. Once her list is complete, she said she hopes to host the information on a public-facing website so that links to other associated diseases can be explored.
Applying AI
Fellow graduate student Pritha Bhasin has investigated how artificial intelligence can be used responsibly in dentistry, with a particular focus on pediatric applications. Her work is supervised by Prof. Samira Abbasgholizadeh-Rahimi, an Associate Member of the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences and Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
“I think AI has the potential to shift dentistry from reactive to more proactive care,” said Bhasin. “For example, there are tools that analyze patterns in imaging, or a patient’s history could flag early signs of cavities or development issues before they’re clinically visible.”
Bhasin’s research focused on identifying gaps in responsible AI implementation, such as data privacy, consent and bias. Bhasin found that AI models used in pediatric dentistry are trained on adult datasets, which could lead to misdiagnoses and inequitable treatment.
“There’s a clear need for pediatric-specific data sets, more diverse representation and stronger frameworks for accountability,” said Bhasin.
“Our work is driven by a commitment to advancing and applying innovative AI solutions that address the needs of vulnerable populations,” said Abbasgholizadeh-Rahimi. “By developing responsible and safe AI tools tailored to vulnerable populations – like children – we can ensure that emerging technologies enhance, rather than compromise, quality of care.”
Other recent research projects at the Faculty feature virtual reality, generative AI and deep learning.
“Innovation is at the heart of the research taking place in our Faculty,” said the Faculty’s Dean, Elham Emami. “By pushing the boundaries of discovery and embracing technology, our researchers continue to distinguish ÂĚñÉç as a global leader.”
The Faculty’s Research Impact score in theĚýĚýwas among the highest in the world for dental faculties, she added.
Source: Ěý