The University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry will welcome a new dean on July 1. Here’s what the dental community needs to know about Dr. Anil Kishen — a world-renowned endodontics researcher, advocate and educator with a passion for innovation and accessibility in oral health.
1. He’s a leader in endodontics and oral health nanomedicine.
Kishen specializes in treating dental infections and saving natural teeth, and his research explores bioactive nanobiomaterials and phototherapeutics. He holds a Canada Research Chair in Oral Health Nanomedicine and has co-invented 12 patents.
2. He brings international perspective and vision.
Educated in India and Singapore, Kishen’s global outlook shapes his approach to research and education. At U of T, he wants to establish centres of excellence in fields like orofacial pain, special needs dentistry and preventive care.
3. He helped shape Canada’s first national research strategy for oral health
A professor at U of T since 2009, Kishen is currently associate dean of graduate education and a former president of the Canadian Association for Dental Research. He helped develop Canada’s first National Oral Health Research Strategy.
“My goal is to position the Faculty of Dentistry as a global leader in dentistry education, research and patient care, leveraging the extraordinary breadth of research, teaching excellence and diversity of our community,” Dr. Kishen said.
“Looking to the future, I would also like us to integrate more digital technologies into our teaching and clinical practice.”
4. He wants to modernize dental education.
Kishen plans to integrate more digital technologies into teaching and clinical care. He also emphasizes cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation to boost patient outcomes and global partnerships.
“Looking to the future, I would also like us to integrate more digital technologies into our teaching and clinical practice.”
5. He sees oral health equity as a moral imperative.
With 11% of seniors living with toothlessness and oral pain disproportionately affecting low-income Canadians, Kishen says dental schools have a responsibility to lead change — through both research and community engagement.
“As the premier post-secondary institution in Canada, it is important for our faculty to play a leadership role in addressing these challenges,” said Kishen. “Our role extends beyond educating students and advancing research – we have a responsibility to engage with communities and have an impact”.
“The Faculty of Dentistry has been excelling for 150 years – our challenge and opportunity is to build on that excellence and take our impact to another level.”
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