The ADA Forsyth Institute

The ADA Forsyth Institute Welcome to The ADA Forsyth Institute, the only independent research institute in the country specializing

Founded in 1910 as a dental infirmary for disadvantaged children, the Forsyth Institute has a proud history of not just meeting the oral health needs of kids – but exceeding the traditional limits of oral medicine. In the mid-1900s, researchers at Boston-based Forsyth revolutionized the oral health profession when they discovered the connections between dental decay and bacteria. Building on these revelations, the Institute has become an independent research organization dedicated to advancing human health and well being through scientific discovery and education. Although our hallmark is the study of oral health, our focus has widened over time to include the investigation of such diverse areas as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and regenerative medicine. We have adopted this multidisciplinary research approach in order to analyze and prevent the severe systemic ramifications of oral infections. The world's most trusted authority in our field, we have a reputation for redefining convention – and we've made a century-long commitment to the community. Our work has inspired our profession to re-examine the scientific basis for oral disease. Today, the gifted scholars from around the globe who join our quest are dedicated to achieving a new generation of breakthroughs in oral health and disease prevention. Forsyth, an independent non-profit organization, is affiliated with Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Harvard Medical School and has collaborations with university and research organizations around the world.

11/04/2025

Oral health is entering an exciting new era. At ADA Forsyth, we’re helping lead that transformation—working alongside innovators and partners who share our passion for advancing dental science and care.

At dentech 2025, we spoke with David Kochman, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Henry Schein, Inc., a global leader in healthcare solutions for dental and medical professionals. He shared insights on how oral health is becoming central to overall health, and how the hygiene visit has the potential to transform into a true gateway to whole-body wellness.

10/30/2025

We’re excited to bring you a new episode of Ambush Science, our ongoing ADA Forsyth series where we surprise scientists with a quick Q&A to give you an exclusive look at their research.

Today we visited Dr. Jirun Sun, an AFI researcher leading efforts to design the next generation of dental materials. Dr. Sun and his team are developing tougher, longer-lasting dental resins by combining innovative research with the power of artificial intelligence. By rapidly analyzing large datasets, AI and machine learning not only speed up testing and development but also predict how new materials will perform—helping researchers move from concept to clinical application much faster. This approach even opens the door to tailoring material properties to meet the specific needs of individual patients.

This groundbreaking work may lead to not only more durable restorations but also smarter, patient-specific treatments in dentistry.

Visit our website to learn more about ADA Forsyth’s innovative oral health research, and stay tuned for more episodes of Ambush Science!

10/29/2025

Discovering the hidden architecture of dental plaque! 🦷

Under the mentorship of Drs. Jessica Mark Welch and Gary Borisy, ADA Forsyth Postdoctoral Fellow Faranak Zolfagharlookoohi, DDS, describes how CLASI-FISH imaging reveals a reproducible “hedgehog” structure within healthy human dental plaque. At the surface of these hedgehogs, Streptococcus species surround filaments of Corynebacterium matruchotii and form elegant corncob microhabitats.

Because these corncobs are located at the surface of the hedgehog structure, they may represent the first layer of dental plaque where oral pathogens can gain a foothold. Mapping these communities could help us model the full architecture of healthy dental plaque biofilms and develop strategies to maintain the plaque in a healthy state and prevent disease.

ADA Forsyth faculty will take the stage at the 2026 Rocky Mountain Dental Convention! Our experts will share the latest ...
10/28/2025

ADA Forsyth faculty will take the stage at the 2026 Rocky Mountain Dental Convention! Our experts will share the latest in oral health research and innovation through sessions on periodontal regeneration, oral–systemic health, developmental dental defects, and the oral microbiome.

Check out our presenting researchers and their talks! ⬇️

Dr. Thomas Van Dyke, Vice President of Clinical and Translational Research
– Is Predictable Medical Control and Treatment of Periodontal Inflammation Becoming a Reality?
– New Horizons in Periodontal Bone Grafts and Regeneration

Dr. Hatice Hasturk, Director, ADA Forsyth Center for Clinical and Translational Research
– Oral and Systemic Health Dynamics in Diabetes
– FAST TRACK – Atherosclerosis and Periodontal Inflammation

Dr. Felicitas Bidlack, Professor, Senior Director of Research Affairs
– Developmental Dental Defects: An Update on Molar Hypomineralization and Chalky Teeth
– The Use of Teeth as Records of Health History and Biomarkers for Prediction of Health Risks

Dr. Jessica Mark Welch, Professor
– Oral Bacteria: The Structures They Build in Your Mouth, and How They May Influence Your Blood Pressure

Dr. Batbileg Bor, Associate Professor
– Good Bugs, Quick Checks: Helpful Bacteria and Chairside Diagnostics

With 140+ sessions, a buzzing Expo Hall, and plenty of networking opportunities, promises to be an inspiring event!

ADA Forsyth is proud to see our faculty sharing their expertise and translating cutting-edge research into clinical insights that advance oral health.



Rocky Mountain Dental Convention

Mark your calendar! The ADA Forsyth 2026 Networking & Golf Fundraiser is happening on June 29, 2026 at the beautiful Ren...
10/23/2025

Mark your calendar! The ADA Forsyth 2026 Networking & Golf Fundraiser is happening on June 29, 2026 at the beautiful Renaissance Golf Club in Haverhill, MA. ⛳️

Spend the day on the course and connect with colleagues and friends at our evening networking reception. Your participation supports AFI's science mission and community programs.

Sponsorship opportunities are available – contact us to learn more.

Register by January 1, 2026 to receive an early bird discount: https://trellis.org/afi-2026-networking-and-golf-fundraiser

10/15/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined ! This was our best dentech yet, thanks to the incredible speakers, startup companies, and visionary leaders who joined us.

Thank you to the keynote speakers, panel members, and moderators for their amazing performances and dedication to oral health initiatives. Our hearts go out to the federal employees who could not join us due to the government shutdown. We hope the saga will be over soon.

Congratulations to our Pitch Competition winner HysensBio and runner-up Innotech Precision Medicine. The audience selected Flash Talks companies THS Labs and Feno as favorites. We also want to thank Grin, Overjet, Young Innovations, and Neo Modulus for a great technology showcase session.

Of course, dentech would not be possible without our many incredible sponsors. Thank you to OraBio for serving as our Platinum Sponsor; to Gold Sponsors PDS Health, Young Innovations, Colgate, United Concordia Dental, and Henry Schein, Inc.; to Silver Sponsors CareQuest Institute for Oral Health and Septodont; to Bronze Sponsors VVARDIS, Crest Oral-B for Dental Professionals Perkins Coie LLP, Kenvue, Neo Modulus, Hyfinity Investments, CareCreditt, Angel Aligner, and Voyager Dental; and to Friends of ADA Forsyth Sponsors Elevate Oral Care, Dental Innovation Alliance, International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, usmile, MassBio, ReverePartners, and OnPharma.

Dentech began in 2021 with the goal of building an ecosystem for oral health innovation. Five years later, it is clear this ecosystem is thriving and focused on positive outcomes for patients across the world.

Take a look at how our legacy drives innovation and how you can join us in shaping the future of oral health worldwide 🎥

Congratulations to   Pitch Competition winner HysensBio and runner-up InnoTech Precision Medicine! Thank you to our Plat...
10/14/2025

Congratulations to Pitch Competition winner HysensBio and runner-up InnoTech Precision Medicine!

Thank you to our Platinum Sponsor OraBio for their support of dentech.

Closing  , American Dental Association 2025-26 President Dr. Richard Rosato laid out his vision for the future of oral h...
10/11/2025

Closing , American Dental Association 2025-26 President Dr. Richard Rosato laid out his vision for the future of oral health for the next 25 years. Drawing on meaningful experiences both personal and professional, he illuminated crucial opportunities to connect dental care with overall health care.

Thank you to our Platinum Sponsor OraBio and our many other sponsors for their support of dentech!

Today’s keynote speaker Dai Feng of CareCapital Group delivered thoughtful commentary on the startup journey of a clinic...
10/10/2025

Today’s keynote speaker Dai Feng of CareCapital Group delivered thoughtful commentary on the startup journey of a clinician-scientist.

Invoking a transcendentalist spirit, he emphasized the importance of self-confidence as a critical element of success.

Special thanks to our Platinum Sponsor, OraBio

Today’s panel discussions at   centered on innovation and investment. The morning’s opening panel welcomed academic dean...
10/10/2025

Today’s panel discussions at centered on innovation and investment.

The morning’s opening panel welcomed academic deans from across the globe to discuss their innovative approaches to dental education, training, and care.

Then, Prof. Ben Wu joined a pair of longtime friends and collaborators Michael Greeley and Prof. Michael Cima to discuss cutting-edge tech converging with powerful investment strategy.

The day’s final panel widened the lens on investment and innovation crossover as featured oral health leaders shared how they are putting proactive, preventive care into action through creative strategies.

Special thanks to our Platinum Sponsor, OraBio

Address

245 1st Street
Cambridge, MA
02142

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Website

https://www.forsyth.org/

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