By: Manny Chopra, DMD, Prosthodontist, 7th District Trustee

You may have noticed recent references to the ADA Forsyth Institute (AFI) in ADA communications. I’d like to take a moment to share more about AFI, and our future goals for this partnership. AFI—a century-old leader in dental research—now partners with the ADA to advance oral health through science and innovation.

The Forsyth Institute began in 1910 as the Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children in Boston, MA. It was founded by Dr. Thomas Alexander Forsyth and his brothers, successful businessmen and philanthropists, who believed that oral health was essential to overall health—a revolutionary idea at the time.

The Infirmary was among the first U.S. institutions focused on pediatric dental care, offering free services to underserved children while advancing research and education. Over time, it grew into the Forsyth Institute—a leading center for dental and craniofacial research, known for pioneering work in oral biology, microbiology, and public health.

A LEGACY OF FIRSTS IN DENTAL SCIENCE
AFI has not only served as a center for care and education—it has been an incubator of innovation, driving groundbreaking discoveries that have redefined oral health.

AFI has been a trailblazer in dental science, among its many scientific milestones: It has revealed the mechanisms of fluoride protection, identified cavities as an infectious disease caused by Streptococcus mutans, and transformed our understanding of periodontal disease. AFI pioneered innovations like ActiSite™, led the first oral pathogen genome project, and uncovered the structure of biofilms. Its researchers identified hundreds of previously unknown oral microbes, launched the Human Oral Microbiome Database, and linked genes to bone loss and craniofacial birth defects.

AFI has also advanced saliva diagnostics, probiotic therapies, and caries vaccines; establishing itself as a global leader in preventive and translational dental research.

A GLOBAL LEADER IN ORAL HEALTH RESEARCH
Beyond innovation, ADA Forsyth has long been recognized as one of the most productive and impactful research institutions in the field of oral health science.

At least 26 current and former AFI scientists are ranked among the world’s top 2% by Stanford, and they represent a significant portion of the highest-ranked oral health experts in the world. This ranking is based on number of studies cited in peer-reviewed journals, and demonstrates the caliber and impact of the research being conducted at AFI. Despite its small faculty size, AFI’s research capacity, as measured by federal research funding, has also consistently ranked #1 on the east coast among all dental universities, including those that are affiliated with large, world class hospitals and medical centers.

ADVANCING GLOBAL HEALTH AND POWERING THE PROFESSION
AFI drives global oral health forward through cutting-edge research, innovative clinical care, education, and international outreach—all rooted in its mission to advance health, accelerate innovation, and empower the profession.

AFI is among those developing saliva tests that could be used in oral health care. The point of care testing in development could increase early detection of oral diseases and viruses like human papilloma virus.

Supported by a $6.2 million grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, AFI is developing next-generation, self-repairing, smart dental fillings using physics-based artificial intelligence. This new material would be durable, affordable and could be a replacement for existing materials like amalgam.

In the coming months, AFI will also launch the AFI Certified program. This program will evaluate clinical products, materials and equipment for safety and efficacy—similar to what the ADA Seal of Acceptance does for over-the-counter dental products.

THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP
In 2023, the ADA formed a strategic partnership with the Forsyth Institute, uniting the nation’s leading dental association with a top research center to advance innovation and improve health outcomes. This collaboration blends advocacy, clinical expertise, and cutting-edge science, reflecting a shared commitment to progress, compassion, and public health. We’re excited to see how this dental partnership will move our research and educational initiatives forward.

Dr. Manish “Manny” Chopra, BDS, DMD, is the Seventh District Trustee to the American Dental Association (ADA) and a restorative dentist/prosthodontist practicing in the Cincinnati area for over 30 years. Dr. Chopra is past president of the Ohio Dental Association (ODA) and serves on multiple boards and councils.