Oral Health Research Connect - September 2025: Guest Speaker Dr Antonin Tichy and Professor Vesna Miletic

Abstract

The Future and Challenges of AI in Dentistry- Dr Anotonin Tichy Big data and artificial intelligence (AI) have transformative potential to enhance clinical decision-making, personalize treatment, and improve outcomes in dentistry. This presentation explores persisting major challenges, including data quality, lack of model validation and explainability, practical obstacles to clinical implementation of AI tools, as well as governance and ethical considerations. This is followed by future trajectories, such as improving data quality through interoperability, federated learning, or multi-modal AI. If successful, AI tools could significantly also significantly contribute not only to clinical-decision-making and predictive dentistry, but also improving care via practice management and teledentistry.

• Leading Change in Dentistry: Research and Innovation in Materials and Education-Professor Vesna Miletic This presentation outlines research I have been doing in dental materials and, more recently, dental education. I lead interdisciplinary projects and teams exploring both experimental and commercial dental materials, mainly resin-based composites, adhesives, bioactive restorative materials and endodontic sealers, examining their physical and chemical properties and aiming to translate laboratory findings into clinical practice. Alongside biomaterials research, my team develops innovative teaching methods to enhance student manual dexterity and clinical skills in tooth conservation. Recent projects involve smart sensor technologies for dental training, improving the simulation of real-world procedures and AI-driven deep learning in dental education. This talk will also highlight future directions to advance dental education and dental materials for clinical application.