Keynote Address: New Horizons for Oral Diagnosis: An Optical Approach

Abstract Body: Oral diseases are among the most common pathologies world-wide. Prevention and treatment are defined by the clinician's ability for prediction and early detection of pathology, as well as screening and monitoring of high-risk populations. Evaluation of prevention or treatment outcomes is also important. Novel tools are needed in oral research and clinical practice to achieve these goals. In this presentation, the use of novel clinical imaging approaches for (1) the early detection of demineralization, remineralization and dental decay; (2) real-time monitoring of gingival health; (3) visualizing and measuring dental pellicle and oral biofilm; (4) screening for oral dysplasia and malignancy will be discussed. These concepts will be presented within the context of clinical studies to evaluate the effectiveness of various preventive and therapeutic approaches, including the effects of various formulations on enamel de- and remineralization; the influence of several anti-plaque and dentifrice formulations on gingival health and oral biofilm; and an evaluation of novel, low-cost, portable screening devices for oral dysplasia and cancer.