At HAIDENERS, theThinkers have shaped education through projects that reach beyond traditional metrics. The true impact of academic work cannot always be quantified by numbers alone—citations, downloads, or rankings—though each quality publication stands as a milestone.
What truly defines our influence is the spirit of collaboration and the lasting echo our initiatives create across diverse platforms. From peer-reviewed journals to mainstream media, these projects demonstrate that knowledge shared widely can break barriers, inspire innovation, and move education forward.
The True Gems of Our Thinkers
A visionary in digital dentistry, Dr. Bencharit bridges science, technology, and human care. A board-certified prosthodontist with a passion for reinventing patient experiences.
Selected Publications:
Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing Digital Technology in Dental Curriculum...
Deep learning...
Enhancing dental education...
Margaret J. Cox is a visionary founder whose life’s work has been defined by courage, compassion, and an unshakable belief that dentistry can transform lives, not just smiles. As the driving force behind the pioneering hapTEL project.
Selected Publications:
The complexity of developing haptics virtual learning systems...
Learning Clinical Skills Using Haptic...
A Scoring System for Assessing Learning Progression...
Get introduced to our leading Thinkers and learn about their main goals.
Dean Dr. Andreea Didilescu, Faculty of Dentistry, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, is a visionary leader in dental education, serving as Dean and Professor at the Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest. In 2025, she was honoured by ADEE with an Oral Health Professional Educators’ Award, recognizing her commitment to sustainability and social responsibility in oral health education. Her work bridges advanced research, curriculum innovation, and international collaboration, positioning her as a key architect of dentistry’s future in Europe and beyond.
Selected Publications:
Faculty Perspectives on Pandemic-Era Dental Teaching
Is Sustainability Part of the Drill?
Can artificial intelligence in orthopantomography advance dental diagnostics through automated image analysis?
Dean Dr. Kaan Orhan focuses on the digital transformation of dentistry, integrating artificial intelligence, advanced imaging, virtual reality, and simulation technologies into dental education and clinical training. His work explores how immersive technologies and digital innovations can enhance clinical decision-making, psychomotor skill acquisition, and simulation-based learning environments for dental students.
Selected Publications:
Dental Education Digitization: Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
Immersive Learning in Dentistry — Evaluating Dental Students’ Perceptions of Virtual Reality for Crown Preparation Skill Development: A Multi-Institution Study
The Effect of Game-Based Learning on Basic Life Support Skills Training for Undergraduate Dental Students
Dr. Damiano Pasqualini, University of Turin, Turin, Italy is redefining the future of microsurgical dental education through cutting-edge digital innovation. Blending precision, technology, and artistry, he transforms traditional surgical training into an immersive, data-driven experience. Using advanced digital gadgets, smart visualization tools, and AI-assisted simulators, his approach empowers clinicians to master complex microsurgical skills with unprecedented accuracy and confidence. Pasqualini’s vision bridges science and creativity—making learning not only more effective but truly inspiring. His digital revolution in dental training stands as a powerful model for the next generation of educators and practitioners worldwide.
Selected Publications:
Enhancing Psychomotor Skills and Educational Engagement in Endodontic Microsurgery
On the Horizon: What's Next for Endodontics
Virtual reality and haptic simulation in modern microsurgical endodontics
Dr. Szabolcs Felszeghy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland stands where anatomy, dentistry, and digital innovation converge—reshaping how we learn the human body, boost skills, confidence and clinical practice. He bridges basic science and clinical insight through immersive 3D technologies, gamification, virtual dissection, and case-based learning that ignite curiosity and connection.
Guided by the belief that education should inspire. Through augmented reality, AI tools, and digital anatomy platforms, Dr. Felszeghy cultivates critical thinking, precision, and empathy.
His mission: to build future-ready healthcare professionals—where innovation, humanity, and science evolve together in a new era of discovery.
Selected Publications:
Gamification can give dental and medical education a boost
Virtual reality haptics enhance preclinical endodontic training
Insights from the global education survey on the use of VR-haptics in dental education
Dr. Barry Quinn leads the global evolution of digital dentistry, uniting technology, education, and clinical excellence through visionary leadership. A passionate traveller and collaborator, he connects minds and institutions worldwide to reimagine how dentistry is taught and practiced.
With pioneering digital initiatives and simulation-based learning, Dr. Quinn empowers professionals to embrace innovation with confidence and compassion. From classrooms to global summits, his work transforms digital dentistry into a philosophy of progress—reshaping the future of oral healthcare.
Selected Publications:
Benefits and challenges of the integration of haptics-enhanced virtual reality training within dental curricula
O-Health-Edu: A vision for oral health professional education in Europe
Establishing the VR-haptic thinkers group: Insights and progress in dental training technologies
Dr Cesar Orsini is a dentist, educator, and visionary in health professions education, reshaping how clinicians learn, lead, and care. As Director for Postgraduate Clinical Education and Leadership Programmes, he crafts transformative learning journeys that go beyond technical skill—cultivating reflective, motivational, and ethically grounded leaders.
Selected Publications:
What influences clinical educators' motivation to teach?
Determinants and outcomes of motivation in health professions education.
Exploring teachers' motivation to teach.
Dr. Reinhard Chau, Faculty of Dentistry HKU, is an AI trailblazer revolutionizing oral healthcare. Harnessing artificial intelligence for sharper diagnostics and superior patient care, he transforms data into life-changing insights. Passionately dedicated to igniting students’ minds, he equips the next generation with cutting-edge skills to lead dentistry’s digital future.
Selected Publication:
Shaping the Future of Dentistry
Beyond the Drill
Response to Generative AI in Dental Licensing Examinations: Comment
Dr. Mengwei Pang, College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, China, is a dental visionary blending haptics and gamification with clinical innovation.
She pioneers immersive training—where tactile simulations and playful gamified challenges sharpen skills, ignite passion, and redefine oral health education. Bridging Eastern precision and global creativity, Dr. Pang empowers tomorrow’s leaders to deliver transformative, compassionate care.
Selected Publications:
Virtual sketching-based dental anatomy module improves learners' abilities to use computer
Preliminary User Evaluation of a New Dental Technology Virtual Simulation System
Haptic Rendering for Multi-Phase Tooth Extraction Process.
Dr. Mihaela Pantea, prosthodontics specialist and lecturer at Carol Davila University, Bucharest, ignites dentistry’s future.
Bridging elite clinical practice with bold research in digital dentistry, biomaterials, education, gerodontology, sustainability, and sleep medicine, she fuses expertise and innovation. A prolific author and prize-winning presenter at the European Prosthodontic Association, Mihaela pioneers digital learning and emerging technologies—empowering educators and clinicians to redefine oral health with vision and impact.
Selected Publications:
Evaluation of undergraduate dental students’ opinions on the use of digital versus conventional design in prosthodontics
Modular digital and 3D-printed dental models with applicability in dental education.
Effects of different surface treatments and accelerated aging on dental zirconia: An in vitro study.
Dr. Maria Florencia Sittoni-Pino, Universidad Europea de Valencia, Valencia, Spain visionary Founder of the Thinkers, from Daculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Valencia, Valencia, Spain. Flor ignites evidence-based revolutions.
From Valencia’s vibrant hub to international stages, she propels transformative projects—blending bold innovation with rigorous science. A relentless booster of collaboration and impact, her passion fuels HAiDENERS’ worldwide ascent, redefining dental education with fearless vision and unyielding drive.
Selected Publications:
Corrigendum: Shaping the Future of Dentistry
Can haptic reinforced VR simulation transform preclinical pulpotomy training?
Application of virtual reality haptic simulators in periodontics
Khaled Ahmed is Associate Professor of Restorative Dentistry and Director of the DDS Program at the University of Melbourne.
A truly global passionate Thinker, he has trained and led programs across the USA, UK, Hong Kong (as Assistant Dean and Programme Director at HKU), and Australia, bringing a rich international perspective to tooth wear, digital dentistry, AI, and dental education, and helping shape national competency standards and policy in Australia.
Selected Publications:
Performance and perception of dental students using three intraoral CAD/CAM scanners for full-arch scanning
Accuracy of 3-Dimensionally Printed Full-Arch Dental Models: A Systematic Review
Operators matter
Łukasz Zadrożny is an oral surgeon and implantologist at the Medical University of Warsaw, known for championing digitally enhanced education and evidence‑based, minimally invasive implantology. A Dentist trained in Poland. also with Harvard‑certification, bridges clinical innovation, 3D printing and guided surgery with forward‑looking teaching, inspiring a new generation of dentists in Warsaw and beyond.
Selected Publications:
Comparison of Dental Stone Models and Their 3D Printed Acrylic Replicas for the Accuracy and Mechanical Properties
Repositioning accuracy of the implant
How Digital VR-Haptic Thinkers Are Revolutionizing Education by Thinking Big for Better Future in Oral Care
Outi Huhtela, University of Eastern Finland, is a TMD-focused prosthodontist who unites rigorous science with a visionary, human-centred approach to dental education.
In a land of middle of (K)nowhere, UEF, Kuopio, Finland where silence often framed learning, she asked a radical question with Thinkers around: can music heal, focus, and empower future dentists?
“Listen to your heart, listen to the music—and care” captures the belief of Thinkers that in modern education, music is not noise; it is a tool for transformation.
Selected Publication:
The combination of listening to background music and deep breathing as a stress reduction strategy
VR-haptic and phantom head dental training: Does the order matter?
Optimizing Preclinical Skill Assessment for Handpiece-Naïve Students
One of our young Thinkers of HAIDENERS from Rabat, Morocco, dr. Kada embodies the fusion of heritage, curiosity, and innovation.
Now immersed in the Swiss spirit of collaboration, he believes that true progress grows from teamwork—energized by creativity and gamification.
He believes in the Power of Play to Shape the Future of Learning. Just like many Thinkers of HAIDENERS, we see teamwork and gamification not as a trend, but as a transformative force—where curiosity fuels creativity, and learning becomes an experience that inspires growth, connection, and lasting change.
Selected Publication:
Enhancing Case-Based Serious Games in Dental Education with AI.
Serious Games in Dentistry
Can Digital Gadgets Redefine the Future of Dental Education?