According to statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the prevalence of periodontal disease among adults in Taiwan is as high as 80%. Periodontal disease not only affects oral health, but studies in recent years have also shown that it is closely related to systemic diseases such as dementia, stroke, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Kaohsiung Medical University recently held the 17th “2025 School of Dental Medicine Research Day International Symposium”, focusing on “Cross-domain Periodontal Regeneration: Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Periodontal Diseases”. Experts and scholars from home and abroad were invited to share the latest research results and explore the relationship between periodontal health and major systemic diseases, providing new directions for future clinical applications and personalized medicine. (See picture)
Kaohsiung Medical University explained today (the 16th) that during the seminar, Professor Frank Roberts, a heavyweight scholar from the University of Washington, shared the impact of genetic factors on oral health. The development of oral diseases is not only related to the environment the oral cavity is exposed to, but also affected by genetics. Understanding the individual’s genetic background can help individual patients formulate effective prevention and treatment plans for caries, periodontal disease and oral cancer; Assistant Professor Xu Yongting of the University of Washington mentioned the importance of the immune system in maintaining the health of periodontal tissues.
Professor Yasuo Takeuchi of Japan University of Science used the latest microbiome technology to analyze the differences and similarities between periodontitis and peri-implantitis. The root cause of these two diseases is the imbalance of oral microorganisms. Through advanced sequencing technology, researchers can understand the various changes in the composition of oral microorganisms in patients at different stages, which is very important for early diagnosis and treatment.
Assistant Professor Ye Zhou from the University of Hong Kong introduced a new type of smart material for improving periodontal tissue repair and antibacterial effects. The hydrogel developed by his team not only has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, but can also accurately control the release of drugs, bringing new hope for the treatment of oral diseases in the future; Vice President Zhang Yuchao of Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences shared the relationship between periodontal disease and systemic diseases. Periodontal disease may affect the health of the cardiovascular, nervous and other systems, threatening life, which is especially important for the middle-aged and elderly population; Finally, Dr. Li Mingang and Dr. Liao Guanxuan from the Zhonghe Memorial Hospital of Kaohsiung Medical University shared their challenges in the treatment of periodontal disease in clinical practice.
In addition to the special lectures, the seminar also planned a rich academic exchange activities. An e-poster competition was held to allow students and young researchers to showcase their latest research results and interact with experts; a case report competition for PGY dentists was held, where PGY dentists from southern Taiwan shared clinical cases to improve their diagnosis and treatment skills. In addition, the dental intern learning experience exhibition presented the learning results of oral medicine interns, allowing participants to gain a deeper understanding of the diversity and challenges of dental education in Taiwan.
This seminar was not only an academic feast and promoted academic exchanges among multiple countries, but also provided new ideas for the research and treatment of periodontal diseases. Through in-depth exchanges among experts and scholars, Kaohsiung Medical University hopes to promote cooperation between Taiwan and the international dental community and further improve the precise prevention and treatment strategies of periodontal diseases in Taiwan through new technology-assisted analysis. Participants also unanimously agreed that in future periodontal health research, more emphasis should be placed on cross-disciplinary and cross-national cooperation in order to provide patients with better personalized treatment and health management.
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