UHS seminar spotlights early oral cancer detection, AI integration, and research capacity in dentistry
LAHORE: Early detection of oral cancer, the expanding role of artificial intelligence in diagnostic pathology, and the urgent need to strengthen research skills among dental faculty emerged as key themes at a one-day academic seminar organized by the University of Health Sciences.
Titled “From Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders to Artificial Intelligence: Contemporary Perspectives in Oral Pathology and Enhancing Your Research Potential through Grant Writing,” the seminar brought together dental faculty members from UHS-affiliated colleges to examine evolving clinical, academic, and research challenges in dentistry.
The seminar was chaired by UHS Vice Chancellor Prof. Ahsan Waheed Rathore, who underscored the importance of aligning teaching standards, diagnostics, and research output with emerging global trends.
Early detection of oral cancer in focus
Addressing the clinical dimension of oral pathology, Prof. Momin Ayub of Avicenna Dental College highlighted advances in early diagnostic tools for oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). His presentation focused on adjunctive techniques such as staining methods and fluorescence-based technologies, including autofluorescence and chemiluminescence, which can aid clinicians in identifying high-risk lesions at an earlier stage.
Complementing this, Dr. Asifa from Rashid Latif Dental College emphasized the growing importance of biomarkers in improving early diagnosis and risk stratification of oral cancer, calling for increased awareness and integration of these tools into routine clinical practice.
Artificial intelligence and diagnostic pathology
The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in dentistry was examined by Dr. Sunnaeyah Waris of de’Montmorency College of Dentistry, who outlined how AI-driven approaches are reshaping diagnostic pathology through enhanced accuracy, pattern recognition, and workflow efficiency.
Participants noted that AI-based diagnostics are no longer a future concept but an emerging necessity. There was consensus that AI education should be formally introduced for both undergraduate students and faculty, with proposals discussed for developing a short structured course on AI in dentistry.
The need for establishing oral cancer data registries was also highlighted, with participants stressing that robust data collection is essential for research, policy formulation, and improved patient outcomes.
Strengthening research skills, grant culture
A dedicated interactive session on research ethics and grant writing was conducted by Prof. Sarah Ghafoor, Head of Oral Pathology at UHS. She encouraged faculty members to actively submit research proposals through the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) and to publish their findings in the UHS journal Biomedica.
The session focused on practical strategies for developing fundable research ideas, ethical compliance, and navigating competitive grant processes—areas identified as critical gaps within dental academia.
Academic reforms, faculty development
Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. Nadia Naseem proposed several forward-looking initiatives, including pre-seminar workshops, short student-led research projects, and targeted faculty training in emerging technologies, to strengthen research engagement at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
In his concluding remarks, the UHS Vice Chancellor reiterated the university’s commitment to standardizing teaching quality across Punjab. He announced the introduction of a five-year integrated BDS curriculum and encouraged faculty and students to utilize UHS dental laboratories and participate in hands-on training programs, including six essential life-saving skills.
A step toward future-ready dental education
Participants widely viewed the seminar as a timely intervention aimed at aligning dental education and research with modern diagnostic tools, digital technologies, and global academic standards. By integrating early cancer detection strategies, artificial intelligence, and structured research training, UHS reaffirmed its role in shaping a future-ready dental workforce in Pakistan.
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