Mahidol University Faculty of Dentistry Research and Innovation

Waranun Buajeeb, Ph.D.,M.S.,D.D.S.

Mahidol University is committed to research and developing innovative solutions to many important problems of Thailand.  The Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University focuses on research and academic activities with a wide-range of partners, including industry. The faculty supports several research areas including usage of medicinal plants, natural products and their extracts in dentistry and related fields.  Researchs in the area of oral cancer, saliva as a diagnostic tools, management of dental and orofacial pain and development of new dental materials as well as new treatment. The Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University has long term collaboration with some private sectors.  For example; the successful case of collaborative project between the Faculty of Dentistry and the SCG (Thailand) Co.Ltd.in developing new dental cement, the collaboration with Giffarine Thailand in development of some medical devices, etc.  The study of Thai herbal medicine and traditional medicinal plants in the field of Dentistry, we have studied several medicinal plants with a view to develop them into dental products.  For example, Andrographis paniculata which has potential use in periodontal treatment, Zanthoxylum limonella which has strong antibacterial and antifungal activities and suitable for using in oral disease prevention, riceberry or purple rice extract for usage in elderly people.   All these medicinal plants studies have been patented and developed into dental products and some of them have already become commercialized. The development of new diagnostic tools and new medical devices are also under investigation. Lastly, the Faculty has been able to strengthen research through collaboration with several institutions both locally and internationally.