2022 TU-HKU-FJMU International Symposium on Oral Health Sciences

Deans' Message

We are very pleased that the 2022 Tohoku University, The University of Hong Kong, and Fujian Medical University (TU-HKU-FJMU) are jointly organizing the International Symposium.

The annual TU-HKU-FJMU Symposium holds several key objectives. The constant sharing of ideas and knowledge promotes knowledge exchange among the three Universities. The continual cooperation not only accelerates research progress, but also enhances the quality of our work and inspire new ideas to achieve scientific breakthroughs.

Back in 2019, we successfully kicked off our first TU-HKU-FJMU International Symposium on Oral Health Sciences. However, the following two years of the Symposium had to be held in virtual mode due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Coming to its fourth year, we are very delighted to announce that the next annual Symposium will be held on 17 November 2022. At this stage, although we are not sure about the delivery mode of the Symposium which depends upon the Covid-19 situation, we are certain that next year’s event will be held either in-person or in hybrid mode in Fujian Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology on Thursday, 17 November 2022, please mark your calendars and save the date for our conference.

The 2022 symposium will comprise of invited lectures, luncheon meetings between professors and students, and young scientists presentations, with an emphasis on oral health science in the Asia-Pacific region. We look forward to deepening our collaboration so as to accelerate research progress and to inspire new ideas to achieve scientific breakthroughs.

Invited Speakers

Clinical Associate Professor in Oral Medicine

Dr Li-wu Zheng

Topic

Diagnosis, Management and Malignant Transformation of Oral Lichen Planus and Oral Lichenoid Lesions: a Clinical Update

Biography

Dr. ZHENG Li-wu (DDS, MD, PhD) is a clinical associate professor of Oral Medicine at the Faculty of Dentistry, the University of Hong Kong, and an adjunct associate professor in School of Dental Medicine, University Pennsylvania. He serves as the undergraduate programme director of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, chief examiner of BDS IV, and chairman of PBL problem development group (BDS V). Dr. Zheng is a member of Chinese Specialty Committee on Oral Mucosal Diseases and American Academy of Oral Medicine, and serves as section editor in several reputed dental and medical journals. The current research interest of Dr. Zheng is AI in prediction of malignant transformation of oral mucosal lesions. He supervised and is supervising 15 PhD students, and has published a total of 2 books, 96 peer reviewed journal articles, 2 dissertations, and 7 book chapters. To promote Oral Medicine in China, Dr Zheng organized the translation and publication of 2 authoritative text books with People’s Medical Publishing House.

Abstract

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic immunological disorder affecting the oral mucosa. The WHO set the diagnostic criteria for OLP in 1978 and classify it as oral potentially malignant disorders. The oral lichenoid lesions (OLL) and oral lichenoid dysplasia (OLD) are not distinguished from OLP in this criteria while they share similar clinical and histological features. In 2003 a modified WHO criteria attempting to differentiate OLP, OLL and OLD was proposed. However, the debate on whether these lesions are different diseases or a continuum of the same condition has never ended. Under certain circumstance, the term “oral lichenoid conditions” is used to club these lesions. Here a clinical update of the diagnosis, management and malignant transformation of the oral lichenoid conditions is discussed.

Clinical Assistant Professor in Orthodontics

Dr Yifan Lin

Topic

Orthodontics and Bone - Demystify their Relationship in Clinical Practice

Biography

Dr. Yifan LIN (BDS, SMD, PhD, MOrth RCSEd) has been a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Deputy Undergraduate Programme Director in Orthodontics at the Faculty of Dentistry, the University of Hong Kong, since 2019. She received a Doctor of Stomatological Medicine in Orthodontics from Peking University and a PhD degree from the University of Hong Kong. Dr. Lin’s research interests include bone biology, periodontal regeneration, and management of cleft lip and palate.

Abstract

Orthodontics is inextricably linked to the bone. The homeostatic function of bone in a healthy periodontal environment is critical for successful orthodontic treatment. Numerous strategies have been developed to promote the growth, remodelling and regeneration of bone. Meanwhile, the mechanism of orthodontic tooth movement has been extensively studied. From the perspective of a clinical orthodontist, the presentation will provide an overview of the various bone biological processes that are relevant to clinical practice. Additionally, how orthodontists use orthodontic appliances to promote bone growth, remodelling, and regeneration, and ultimately achieve successful orthodontic treatment, will be discussed.

Senior Clinical Practitioner in Cariology

Dr Duangporn Duangthip

Topic

A Paradigm Shift in Caries Management

Biography

Dr. Duangthip is a Senior Clinical Practitioner and Undergraduate Program Director in Cariology, The University of Hong Kong. She was conferred Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Science in Community Dentistry from the University of Hong Kong, and Doctor of Dentistry (Dr. med. dent.) from University of Bern, Switzerland, and Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Thailand (FRCDT) and a Member of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (MRACDS) in Dental Public Health. She was an invited speaker in several international conferences such as World Congress on Preventive Dentistry and the South East Asia Association for Dental Education (SEAADE). Dr. Duangthip presented her research at many international conferences and published more than 55 peer-reviewed journals, including the first author in Journal of Dental Research with H-index 18 and more than 1,000 citations (Scopus). Her research interest focuses on caries management and community dental care. Currently, she is an Associate Editor in BMC Oral Health and Assistant Specialty Chief Editor in Frontiers in Oral Health. Last but not least, Dr. Duangthip is a Vice President of the Pediatric Oral Health Research Group of the International Association for Dental Research. She is also a Vice President of Society of Preventive Dentistry of Hong Kong.

Abstract

Tooth decay is a silent epidemic affecting more than two billion people worldwide. Underserved and vulnerable populations encounter persistent and systemic barriers to accessing restorative dental care. A paradigm shift in caries management using a non-restorative approach has been advocated. Studies have shown that silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is effective in arresting dental caries in primary teeth and root caries in elders. SDF can be a viable treatment alternative for caries control due to its simplicity to use, affordability, and accessibility. Recently, SDF has been added to the new section for dental preparations in the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. This establishment is a crucial development to tackle the burden of dental caries and oral health inequalities. This lecture will discuss a paradigm shift in caries management focusing on SDF treatment for caries control. Clinical applications and indications of SDF use will be presented and discussed.