Research
Our initial research focuses on three areas: periodontal health science, periodontal medicine and oral microbiome. Across each, we aim to strengthen evidence, address important gaps and translate knowledge into better prevention and care.
Periodontal Health Science
Advancing the evidence needed to improve oral health, prevention and care across the life course.
Periodontal Medicine
Exploring relationships between periodontal and systemic health, and what they mean for prevention and care.
Oral Microbiome
Understanding how oral microbial communities interact with the mouth and body, and what this may mean for health.
Periodontal Health Science
Scientific Rationale
Oral health is integral to general health, yet oral diseases remain among the world’s most common noncommunicable conditions. Most are largely preventable. Stronger evidence on prevention, behavior and care can help reduce this burden, improve implementation and support oral health and function across the life course.
Current Gaps
The challenge is not only knowing what supports prevention, but putting that evidence into practice consistently. Effective approaches are still unevenly implemented across populations and health systems, and must be translated into forms professionals can use and people can sustain.
Institute Focus
We focus on translating advances in periodontal science into evidence-based strategies for prevention, early detection, and care, addressing key gaps in periodontal health across the life course.
Periodontal Medicine
Scientific Rationale
Periodontitis is closely connected with systemic health. Its reciprocal relationship with diabetes is well established, while evidence also links periodontitis with cardiovascular and other conditions. Periodontal medicine examines these relationships and their implications for prevention and care across disciplines.
Current Gaps
Evidence has not yet translated consistently into joined-up care. Important questions remain about mechanisms, causality and how findings should influence practice, while opportunities for shared prevention, screening and referral are still limited.
Institute Focus
We focus on translating knowledge of the links between periodontal and systemic health into new approaches to risk assessment, prevention, and care, addressing shared pathways and opportunities for improved health outcomes.
Oral Microbiome
Scientific Rationale
The oral cavity contains a complex microbial ecosystem that is central to oral health. Research increasingly links changes in oral microbial communities with systemic conditions, but much of the evidence remains associative. Understanding these relationships may reveal new approaches to prevention, risk assessment and care.
Current Gaps
Key questions remain about causality, the mechanisms linking oral microbial changes with systemic health, and which markers are clinically meaningful. Differences in methods and study populations also make findings difficult to compare.
Institute Focus
We focus on translating knowledge of the oral microbiome and its interactions with the host and environment into research priorities and evidence-based approaches to prevention.
Each of these themes is led and reviewed by the Institute’s experts.