The Roman arch keystone is the central, foundational element that holds together and provides support to its surrounding structures. It is the wedge-shaped stone at the apex of an arch that locks all the other stones in place. It is the engineering breakthrough that allowed the Romans to create architectural marvels that still astound us. In our day-to-day clinical practice, we have a similar keystone—dental research, which helps us to ensure that our treatments are evidence-based and effective. Dental research gives us what patients want—safe, painless, long-lasting, health-based, and esthetic results. It gives us what dentists need—simple, predictable, proactive, and profitable technologies and products.
Research starts with an idea, based on a real need in clinical practice. Curiosity and vision lead to further exploration. A question is formulated, necessary parameters are determined, and a valid experiment is designed. Everything is assessed rigorously and thoroughly. Then comes the ultimate test—clinical feedback. Is it easier, faster, more predictable, with better health outcomes? More comfortable? Long-lasting? Is it what dentists need and what patients want? If the answer is yes to these questions, the result, if all goes well, is a better technique or product.
In the year when we as Canadians are finally feeling the call of patriotism, it is time to celebrate our Canadian dental researchers who bring so much to our daily practices. Surprisingly, we are not aware of this vital Canadian dental research. We know very little of what is being explored. In this issue of Oral Health, I am hoping to change this by highlighting the innovative work that is being done at many Canadian universities.
The universities that are represented here are Dalhousie, University of Toronto, University of Manitoba, and University of Saskatchewan. There are many others who may have been missed, and I challenge them to contact me. I will be happy to include them in Oral Health December 2026.
Much of the research discussed on these pages is early and exploratory. Some studies are midway in their pursuit and are presently reaching out to the dental industry for financial and operational support. And finally, some of the research has become fully realized, with a commercially viable product that has entered the dental clinic. What an exciting journey this is! A clinical need/problem/obstacle finding a simple solution.
There is an essential synergy through cooperation and collaboration that is necessary between dental research and the clinic. There is a feedback loop that needs to be well maintained. The first step is clear communication between the two parts. Each part must be aware of the key role the other part plays. I hope that this issue of Oral Health will assist in initiating this awareness and fostering even greater cooperation and collaboration.
O Canada, the home of bright minds and strong research—let us look forward to a bright future of further innovation and strong synergy between clinical practitioners and this vital keystone that continues to support us—Canadian dental research.
About the editor
Dr. Fay Goldstep has lectured extensively on Proactive/Minimal Intervention Dentistry, Soft-Tissue Lasers, Bioactive Dental Materials, and Oral/Systemic Health. She has been a contributing author to four textbooks and has published more than 100 articles. Dr Goldstep sits on the editorial boards of Oral Health Journal, Dental Tribune US Edition, Dental Asia and REALITY. She has been listed as one of the leaders in continuing education by Dentistry Today since 2002. Dr. Goldstep is a consultant to a number of dental companies. She can be reached at fgoldstep@gmail.com.