A short presentation that highlights the research opportunities that can be explored for graduates of dentistry and dental surgery

1. Research Opportunities in
Dentistry
Dr. Boluwatife “Olu” Afolabi.
April, 2023

2. What is research?
“A careful study of a subject, especially in order to discover new facts or information
about it”
-https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/research_1?q=rese
arch
“Creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge”
-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research
“Research is the pursuit of new knowledge through the process of discovery. Scientific
research involves diligent inquiry and systematic observation of phenomena”
-https://www.purdue.edu/science/careers/find_internship_research/getting_started_
with_research/what_is_research.html
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3. What are your misconceptions about research?
“It’s only about distributing questionnaires”
“It’s only about analyzing data on SPSS”
“It’s only about collating biomedical data from patients”
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4. Why do we research? What is the need for it?
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5. What is the end goal?
https://tri.uams.edu/about-tri/what-is-translational-research/
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6. The Dentist-Scientist
Colombo, J., et al. 2016
https://researchtraining.nih.gov/infographics/dentist-scientist
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7. Approaches to scientific research as a dentist/dental surgeon
● Basic Science (Physiology, Anatomy etc)
● Epidemiological Science (Public Health, Global Health, Biostatistics etc)
● Basic Dental Science (Microbiology, Periodontology, Craniofacial Genetics
etc)
● Bioinformatics (Machine learning, AI, etc)
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8. What are the career opportunities available?
Dentist-Scientist
Academia
Industry
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9. What can I do as an undergraduate who is interested in a research career?
● Conduct research at your local level
● Join student organisations that focus on research
● Volunteer as a research assistant with consultants/professors
● Take online courses
● Get good grades
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10. Examples of graduate programs focused on dental research
● Doctor of Philosophy in Oral and Craniofacial Biomedical Sciences; Texas A&M University
[https://catalog.tamu.edu/graduate/colleges-schools-interdisciplinary/dentistry/interdepartmental/oral-and-craniofacial-biomedical-sciences-phd/#tex
t]
● Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, PhD Program; University of Pittsburgh [https://catalog.upp.pitt.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=214&poid=67693]
● PhD Degree in Oral Biology; UCLA [https://dentistry.ucla.edu/academics-admissions/graduate-programs/phd-degree-oral-biology ]
● PhD Program in Oral Biology and Minnesota Craniofacial Research Training; University of Minnesota
[https://dentistry.umn.edu/degrees-programs/graduate-specialty-and-advanced-education-programs/graduate-program-oral-biology]
● MS and PhD in Oral Biology; University of Buffalo [https://dental.buffalo.edu/departments/oral-biology/academics-and-training/oral-biology-phd.html]
● Dental Public Health Graduate Program; University of Iowa
[https://dentistry.uiowa.edu/pcd/dph-grad#oral-science-phd-program-alumni-with-dental-public-health-emphasis ]
AND SO ON… DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH (DYOR)!
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11. Feel free to shoot me a mail: oluwamuyiwaafolabi@gmail.com
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