UM Professors Visit CMU for Academic Exchange, Strengthening Bilateral Collaboration and Sharing Advances in Geriatric Dentistry and Minimally Invasive Treatment

Dean Prof. Lih-Jyh Fuh of the College of Dentistry, China Medical University (CMU), invited Prof. Dr. Shani Ann Mani and Prof. Dr. Jacob John from the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya (UM), to visit CMU and deliver distinguished lectures on November 10, further deepening the academic collaboration established since the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the two universities in 2020.

Prof. Dr. Shani Ann Mani presented a lecture titled “From Decay to Defense: Managing Deep Caries in Young Permanent Teeth,” highlighting the evolving concepts in treating deep caries. She emphasized that recent advances in technology and biomaterials have made minimally invasive treatment modalities more achievable, significantly increasing the success rates of vital pulp therapy. These developments play a crucial role in preserving young permanent teeth and improving long-term oral health outcomes.

Prof. Dr. Jacob John delivered a talk titled “Challenges and Innovations in Geriatric Dentistry,” analyzing key issues associated with dental care for the aging population. He stressed that rapid global population aging and the growing number of older adults are undeniable trends. The multimorbidity commonly observed in older individuals has profound impacts on oral health. Therefore, dentists must demonstrate comprehensive assessment and monitoring when formulating treatment plans, and be equipped with immediate judgment and response capabilities to manage unexpected physiological changes during clinical procedures, ensuring both safety and quality of care.

In addition, since the signing of the MOA in 2020, CMU and UM have jointly organized the annual CMU–UM Joint Postgraduate Research Symposium. This year marked the 6th edition, held on October 31, under the theme “Converging Frontiers: Biomedical Engineering in Modern Dental and Health Researches.” The symposium featured four oral presentations and eleven E-Poster submissions, showcasing the strong research capacity and cross-border collaboration between the two institutions in dental and health sciences.

The visit and lectures delivered by the two UM professors not only strengthened the academic ties between CMU and UM but also provided CMU faculty and students with valuable international perspectives and the latest insights into clinical dentistry and research developments.