Innovation, Evidence, and Impact: TCDM Research Day 2025 Shines Spotlight on Future Dental Leaders

"It is always so exciting to see the tremendous amount of work and effort our students put into this annual event,” said TCDM Dean Ronnie Myers, D.D.S., "Research is the foundation of so much of what we do here at TCDM, and it is gratifying to see the innovation that our students and faculty bring year after year."

Eli Eliav, D.M.D., Ph.D. Vice President for Oral Health at the University of Rochester Medical Center, delivered the keynote address. His talks, “Acute and Chronic Orofacial Pain Following Invasive Dental Procedures” and “How to Contribute to Peer Review Literature,” emphasized the importance of evidence-based practice. “We need to have more evidence-based dentistry, and we need to move towards this direction. Any reason we provide treatment should be reliant on data,” Dr. Eliav said.

First-year student Nisha Parakadavil stood confidently beside her poster, “Long-Term Benefits of Arginine Use in Moderate to Severe Attrition with Dentin Exposure.” Her research examined the impact of arginine-based toothpaste in reducing sensitivity. “It’s an opportunity to challenge conventional thinking and explore new ways to improve patient care,” she said. Parakadavil noted that arginine is used in toothpastes in Europe, but not in the US, despite its effectiveness.

A few tables down, Michelle Weingarten’s project, “Knowledge and Perspectives on Dentists Administering Vaccinations,” tackled a timely issue—could dentists help bridge the vaccination gap in underserved communities? Her work examined the patchwork of regulations governing which states allow dentists to provide vaccinations and whether public support exists for dentist-led vaccination efforts. (It does.) “It was incredibly rewarding to connect with practitioners, researchers, and students from other institutions,” she reflected about Research Day. Her findings underscored the potential of dental professionals in public health.

Sandra Dorr, a native of New Mexico, presented her study on "Odontogenic Keratocyst Arising in a Nasopalatine Duct Cyst." Her work delved into understanding rare but impactful conditions with broader implications for diagnostic and treatment strategies. “To have the opportunity to go back and serve the community that I intend to serve during my training is absolutely thrilling,” said Dorr who will be continuing her studies at TCDM’s New Mexico campus.

That excitement for expanding research into New Mexico was echoed by student Raheeb Alsaid, who will be joining the Touro Research Society there as the new VP. "It's exciting. We've got a lot of guidance by Dr. Sharif in terms of research and we’re building a foundation in a new place," Alsaid said.

Behind the scenes, the vision of Jaffer Shariff, D.D.S, M.P.H., D.P.H., M.S., Director of Research at TCDM, and Salomon Amar, M.S., D.D.S., D.M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President for Research Affairs of Touro University, brought Research Day to life. Their mentorship has long been a cornerstone of TCDM’s commitment to advancing dental medicine.

“Engaging in research challenges students to question existing knowledge, explore new frontiers, and contribute meaningfully to the evolution of dental medicine.” Said Dr. Shariff. “Research Day stands as a powerful reminder of how scientific discovery fuels progress in dentistry. From exploring innovative treatment modalities to deepening our understanding of oral and systemic health connections, the work showcased on May 8 reflects the cutting-edge thinking that shapes the future of dental care.”

Dr. Amar expressed a similar sentiment, highlighting TCDM's expansion into underserved communities like New Mexico. “Our goal is to bridge the gap between education and practical impact, ensuring that our students' research makes a difference not just locally, but nationally,” he said. “Excellence is our greatest advocate.”