Transforming Oral Health Through Evidence & Innovation
2025 marked a year of exceptional growth for OralHealthResearch.lv, establishing our team as a leading voice in evidence-based pediatric dentistry, artificial intelligence applications in oral health, and health policy reform in Latvia and beyond.
Latvia faces one of Europe's highest dental disease burdens: 93% of adolescents show visible tooth damage, and only 14% of 12-year-olds are caries-free. Our research addresses this crisis through patient-centered clinical trials, epidemiological studies, and AI-driven diagnostic innovations. With a population of 1.9 million, Latvia serves as an ideal laboratory for rapid national-scale implementation and international adaptation.
Scientific Leadership: Our team published 12 peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals including the Journal of Dentistry, Journal of Dental Research, International Dental Journal, European Journal of Dental Education, Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, JDR Clinical and Translational Research, Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, and Dental Traumatology. These 12 publications add to 28 from 2020-2024, bringing our five-year total to 40 publications in leading international journals. Additionally, we published two landmark books with Springer on AI applications in oral health care and scientific writing strategies for oral health professionals.
Global Recognition: Associate Professor Uribe was elected to the board of the ITU/WHO/WIPO Topic Group on Dental AI (TG-Dental), joining an elite international panel developing global standards for AI in dentistry. Team members delivered keynote addresses and invited lectures across four continents, including major conferences in Turkey, Germany, Spain, Ecuador, Chile, and Brazil.
Policy Impact: Assistant Professor Maldupa represented Latvia at the WHO Global Oral Health Meeting in Bangkok, signing the Bangkok Declaration endorsed by over 100 member states. Our research on sugar taxation and fluoride use informed the Ministry of Health Action Plan 2025-2029, with legislative consideration for 2026.
Research Innovation: We launched EpiSMILE, Latvia's first comprehensive study on dental health and molar-incisor hypomineralisation in 6-8-year-old children. This fills a critical data gap, as previous national studies included only adolescents.
Public Engagement: Our research reached national audiences through 15+ media appearances on Latvian television and radio, addressing sugar reduction policies, fluoride use, and minimally invasive pediatric dentistry.
Training Excellence: We supervised three doctoral students conducting research on economic evaluation of pediatric caries management and health behavior strategies. We hosted a visiting doctoral student from University of São Paulo, strengthening our international research network.
Open Science: We published eight open-access datasets on Zenodo and RSU Dataverse, supporting transparency, reproducibility, and global collaboration.
2025 publications demonstrate our leadership in AI ethics, dental education innovation, clinical effectiveness research, and evidence-based practice implementation.
Journal of Dentistry. 2026 Jan;164:106187
Established a framework for ethical evaluation of large language models in dentistry through e-Delphi consensus with 105 participants. Addressed nine critical topics including data privacy, copyright, bias, fairness, transparency, and explainability. This framework provides systematic guidance for AI developers, researchers, and practitioners during development and clinical implementation.
International Dental Journal. 2025 Dec;75(6):103964
Examined global EHR development and dentistry's integration into national health data ecosystems. Drawing on FDI World Dental Federation's policy statements, the review highlights benefits and challenges of linking dental and medical records, presents core indicators for integrated systems, and provides practical recommendations for embedding oral health within digital health transformation.
JDR Clinical and Translational Research. 2025 May;12(5)
Analyzed benefit-cost of noninvasive ECC management in Latvian preschoolers over 12 months. Biannual silver diamine fluoride applications (SDF2) were most cost-effective, yielding an incremental benefit-cost ratio of -0.98. Results demonstrate implementing SDF2 in Latvia would reduce healthcare complications and costs, providing evidence for national policy implementation.
European Journal of Dental Education. 2025 May;29(2):341-355
Identified and analyzed GenAI guidelines from 21 universities across 15 countries. Found no dental-specific guidance, presenting an opportunity to develop recommendations for academic staff. Guidelines emphasize ethical use, transparency, academic integrity, and AI misuse detection tools. Provides foundation for developing dental education-specific GenAI integration frameworks.
Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. 2025 Sep
Examined Latvian parents' views on minimally invasive dentistry through qualitative reflexive thematic analysis. Parents value effective communication, clear information, and access to treatment options. Results highlight need for patient-centered care models that prioritize comfort, informed decision-making, and choice in pediatric dentistry.
Journal of Dentistry. 2025 Sep;160:105867
Provides comprehensive guidance for editors and reviewers evaluating AI research in dentistry. Addresses methodological rigor, reporting standards, ethical considerations, and clinical relevance. Critical tool for improving peer review quality and developing reliable, ethically sound AI applications in dentistry.
Dentomaxillofacial Radiology. 2025 Feb;54(2):118-124
Assessed impact of deep learning model on oral radiologists' ability to detect periapical radiolucencies. AI did not significantly enhance overall diagnostic accuracy but showed potential to enhance efficiency, particularly for non-expert clinicians. Underscores complementary role of AI and critical importance of radiologists' expertise.
Journal of Dental Research. 2025 Nov;104(12):1285-1287
Critical commentary on the sustainability of the current scientific publishing system. Addresses the exponential growth in scientific output, peer review burden, and the need for considerate publishing practices. Calls for systemic changes to ensure the quality and integrity of the scientific literature in the face of increasing publication pressures.
Dental Traumatology. 2025 Apr;41(2):161-170
Controlled clinical trial evaluating the use of CBCT and 3D-printed replicas in molar autotransplantation. Results demonstrate the clinical efficacy of digital planning and 3D-printed surgical guides in improving autotransplantation outcomes. Provides evidence for integrating digital dentistry technologies into surgical protocols for tooth transplantation.
Journal of Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. 2025 Sep;53(9):1530-1537
CBCT-based case series examining volumetric stability of biphasic hydroxyapatite/β-tricalcium phosphate/collagen implants in malar augmentation following orthognathic surgery. Provides evidence on the long-term stability and clinical performance of these biomaterials in maxillofacial reconstruction.
International Endodontic Journal. 2025 Oct
Proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial examining AI platform training for dental students predicting pulp exposure. Demonstrates feasibility of integrating AI-based diagnostic tools into dental education and clinical training.
International Journal of Dental Hygiene. 2025 Feb;23(1):124-132
Revealed significant gaps in fluoride toothpaste use among families in Latvia and Lithuania, especially among children. Over one-third of Latvian families and half of Lithuanian families had at least one fluoride-free toothpaste at home. Results inform targeted interventions promoting optimal fluoride toothpaste use for caries prevention.
Our 2025 achievements span research excellence, policy influence, and academic training.
Our research and presentations reached audiences across 10 countries on 4 continents:
First comprehensive guide to AI applications in dentistry, covering foundational concepts, practical applications, and ethical considerations. Features evidence-based insights into how AI is changing clinical practice.
First comprehensive guide specifically for oral health researchers on navigating modern publishing landscape. Covers predatory journals, open access strategies, and effective communication of dental research.
Researchers from Rīga Stradiņš University, in collaboration with the University of Latvia and with financial support from the RSU Institute of Stomatology, launched EpiSMILE—a large-scale epidemiological study. Its aim is to obtain, for the first time in Latvia, reliable data on the dental health of 6-8-year-old children, including the prevalence of molar-incisor hypomineralisation (MIH).
Dental caries is well-known, but our goal is to assess its real prevalence in young children, as previous national studies have included only adolescents. MIH is an under-researched developmental enamel defect that can lead to rapid tooth breakdown and significantly impair a child's quality of life. Dentists report that its occurrence is increasing.
The study will be conducted in several Latvian schools—this year in Rīga and its surrounding region, and, if supported, it will continue nationwide. This project differs from previous work by including not only school-based examinations carried out by specialists but also offering children with signs of severe disease the opportunity to receive in-depth consultation with paediatric dental specialists. All participating children will receive information for parents describing their child's oral health status and general recommendations for improving it.
To date, Latvia has not had reliable, representative data on:
Such information is essential for planning healthcare services, improving child oral health prevention, and developing effective national policies in this field.
Tartu, Estonia - Three oral presentations on pediatric caries management economics and minimally invasive strategies
Riga, Latvia - Multiple presentations including third molar autotransplantation outcomes and minimally invasive dentistry adoption
Barcelona, Spain - Four presentations including AI research state, economic evaluation, and evidence certainty in oral health
Munich, Germany - Invited presentation on reviewing AI research papers in dentistry
Leeds, UK - Presentation on economic viability of minimally invasive dentistry for Latvian children
Rome, Italy - Four oral presentations covering fluoride hesitancy, dental student attitudes, and machine learning for ECC risk modeling
Antalya, Turkey - Keynote address on AI applications in pediatric dentistry, clinical implementation challenges
Viña del Mar, Chile - Three invited lectures on AI in radiology, practice integration, and general anesthesia trends
Brazil - Two invited lectures on minimally invasive caries management with SDF and toothpaste fluoride monitoring
Associate Professor Sergio Uribe was elected to the board of the ITU/WHO/WIPO Topic Group on Dental AI (TG-Dental), chaired by Professor Falk Schwendicke. This Topic Group is part of the Global Initiative on Artificial Intelligence for Health launched by the World Health Organization, the International Telecommunication Union, and the World Intellectual Property Organization.
TG-Dental promotes the use of AI in dental diagnostics and digital dentistry through three core focus areas:
TG-Dental aims to develop global standards for the use of AI in dentistry. Core objectives include identifying, testing and implementing innovative AI technologies in different countries, especially in middle and low-income countries. The group is committed to developing guidelines on the ethical use of AI, regulation and clinical evaluation of AI solutions, and promoting open-source implementations that meet the standards of the Global Initiative.
Assistant Professor Maldupa represented Latvia at the WHO Global Oral Health Meeting, signing the Bangkok Declaration—endorsed by 100+ member states—asserting "no health without oral health" and promoting integration of essential dental care into primary health systems.
Our research on excessive sugar consumption's impact on oral and systemic health informed the Ministry of Health Action Plan 2025-2029. Sugar taxation identified as priority intervention for 2026 budget consideration.
Associate Professor Uribe contributed to global regulatory standards and ethical principles for AI in oral healthcare, shaping how AI applications are developed, tested, and deployed in dental practice worldwide.
Co-authored national fluoride use guidelines (2014) that continue to inform clinical practice standards and public health policy in Latvia, establishing evidence-based recommendations for water fluoridation and topical fluoride products.
Our research reached Latvian audiences through strategic media engagement, translating complex science into actionable public health messaging.
Three major appearances discussing excessive sugar consumption and its link to childhood obesity, diabetes, and dental disease. Emphasized 40% diabetes risk reduction through early sugar restriction.
Delphi television feature on evidence-based gentle choices in pediatric dentistry, highlighting no-drill approaches and parental empowerment through informed decision-making.
Panel on "Financing Sustainable Public Health" examining sugar taxation and policy measures to reduce unhealthy food consumption and healthcare costs in Latvia.
In-depth discussion linking excessive sugar to oral health burden, childhood caries, and healthcare system costs. Evidence incorporated into policy recommendations.
Countries with lower caries prevalence consistently show higher GDP, better educational outcomes, and lower chronic disease burden. Oral health predicts prosperity.
We invest in the next generation of oral health researchers through rigorous PhD supervision and international collaboration.
Project: Economic Evaluation for the Implementation of Evidence-Based Paediatric Caries Management Strategies in Latvian Clinical Practice
Supervisors: Assistant Professor Maldupa & Associate Professor Uribe
2025 Output: Three international conference presentations (Estonia, Spain, UK) on cost-effectiveness of minimally invasive dentistry for Latvian children. Co-authored peer-reviewed publication on benefit-cost analysis of noninvasive ECC interventions in JDR Clinical and Translational Research. Research directly informs policy decisions on scaling pediatric dental care.
Project: Health Behaviour Promoting Strategies for the Implementation of Sustainable Oral Health Care in Latvia
Supervisors: Assistant Professor Maldupa & Associate Professor Uribe
2025 Output: Multiple presentations on dental hygienists' perspectives on minimally invasive care adoption, fluoride hesitancy scale development, and dental student attitudes. Co-authored qualitative study on parents' perceptions of minimally invasive caries management published in Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. Research addresses implementation barriers in clinical practice.
Status: Visiting doctoral student from USP, conducting collaborative research on pediatric caries management
Duration: 2025
Impact: Strengthens Brazil-Latvia research collaboration and expands international network for future joint projects
Our supervision model emphasizes:
Students present at major conferences (IADR, EADPH, ORCA) to build professional networks and receive feedback from global experts
Training in advanced statistical methods, systematic reviews, economic evaluation, and qualitative research approaches
Research designed to inform real-world policy decisions, ensuring students understand the path from data to impact
Students learn data management, preregistration, and open-access publishing to maximize research transparency and reproducibility
Building on 2025's momentum, we are positioned to expand our impact across research, policy, and clinical implementation.
Timeline: April 2025 - March 2026
Comprehensive mapping of oral health epidemiological profiles in Latvian children and adolescents. This recovery and resilience facility-funded project will establish the most detailed national oral health database in Latvia's history, informing policy and resource allocation for the next decade.
Timeline: Through December 2025
Final year of implementation study on evidence-based pediatric caries management. Results will inform clinical guidelines, dental school curricula, and national treatment protocols for minimally invasive approaches.
Timeline: 2026-2027
Two doctoral students advancing to final stages, producing dissertations on economic evaluation and behavior change strategies. Their research will directly influence clinical practice adoption and health system financing decisions.
Timeline: 2026 onwards
Following successful Riga pilot, expand EpiSMILE study nationwide to obtain comprehensive data on dental caries and MIH prevalence in 6-8-year-old children across all Latvian regions.
May 29, 2026 - Druskininkai, Lithuania. Presenting cross-Baltic research on pediatric caries management and fluoride use patterns.
September 4-7, 2026 - Prague, Czech Republic. Multiple presentations planned on AI in dentistry, minimally invasive approaches, and sugar reduction policy outcomes from Latvia's national implementation.
2026 - Germany. As board member, Associate Professor Uribe will participate in development of global AI standards and guidelines for dental diagnostics and digital dentistry.
Presenting Latvia's progress on sugar taxation and fluoride policy, demonstrating rapid implementation success in small nation context. Showcasing minimally invasive dentistry adoption strategies for European dental public health community.
With a population of 1.9 million, Latvia enables rapid national-scale implementation. Evidence-based interventions and new technologies like AI can be implemented and evaluated at population scale, then adapted for international contexts.
Our 2025 achievements reflect the dedication of our team, the support of our funders, and the trust of our research participants and clinical partners.
We extend our gratitude to:
Associate Professor Sergio E. Uribe
Associate Professor, Riga Stradins University
Visiting Professor, LMU Munich
TG-Dental Board Member, ITU/WHO/WIPO
ORCID: 0000-0003-0684-2025
Assistant Professor Ilze Maldupa
Assistant Professor, Riga Stradins University
2025 RSU Resident of the Year
ORCID: 0000-0002-5967-956X
Olga Sļepcova
PhD Candidate, Economic Evaluation
ORCID: 0000-0002-8723-5464
Una Stāmere
PhD Candidate, Health Behaviour
ORCID: 0000-0002-7210-1463
Rafael Garbim
Visiting Doctoral Student
University of São Paulo