Cariology with emphasis on non-invasive management of dental caries disease (diet, biofilm control, remineralizing therapies, and saliva). Fluorides in enamel and root dentine. Tooth Erosion, Erosive Tooth Wear. TeleDentistry and OHQoL.

MENTORED STUDENTS AWARDS

• Constanza Gatica San Martín, Alejandra Valdebenito Escobar, received the award: Second Place Best Thesis Project 2023. Faculty of Dentistry, University of Talca, Chile (Dec 14th, 2023) by presenting the study [Fluoride and pH in Bottled Waters Marketed in Chile].
• Arrieta Ignacio; Silva Consuelo. Thrid Place Scientific Presentation at the National Congress of Dental Students (CONADEO) (Dec 2nd, 2023), by presenting the study: [Self-Care in Oral Health in a Sample of Vegans and Omnivores].
• Camila Bueno; Nicole Loyola; Cesia Vargas; Constanza E. Fernández. First Place in Poster Scientific Presentation at the First Congress of Health Student Researchers in the Maule Region. University of Talca, Chile (Nov 30th, 2023), by presenting the study: [Fluoride Stability in Activated Charcoal Toothpaste].
• Cesia Vargas received the award: Best Student of Cariology Faculty of Dentristry,, University of Talca, October 2023) awarded by the Chilean Academy of Cariology.
• Constanza Gatica San Martín, Alejandra Valdebenito Escobar, Cesia J. Vargas; Rossio Peñailillo received the award: First Place Scientific Presentation at the XXV Annual Meeting Dental Faculty, University of Talca, Chile (Ago 3rd, 2023) by presenting the study [Fluoride and pH in Mineralized Bottled Waters Marketed in Chile].
• Catalina A. Maturana received the award: Best Student of Cariology at Graduation Ceremony, Dental School, University of Talca, October 2022) awarded by the Chilean Academy of Cariology.
• Consuelo Silva and Fernanda Padilla received the award: First Place Basic and Applied Science: Bibliographic Reviews, at the V International Cariology Meeting, Chilean Academy of Cariology (13-16 October, 2021) by presenting the study [Toothbrushing related to Erosive Tooth Wear and Dental Caries: Scoping Review].
• Catalina A. Maturana received the award: Third Place Scientific Presentation at the XXIII Annual Meeting Dental School, University of Talca. Second Virtual meeting (29-30 Julio, 2021) by presenting the study [Presential versus Virtual educational experiences for faculty and students].
• Catalina A. Maturana received the award: Best Scientific Presentation of her session, at the XXII Annual Meeting Dental School, University of Talca. First Virtual meeting (28-30 October, 2020) by presenting the study [Smarthphones, Messages and Apps for Teledentistry : A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis].
• Catalina A. Maturana received the award: Best Three minutes Presentation at the XXXII Annual Meeting of the Chilean Division of IADR. First Virtual IADR meeting (30 and 31st July, 2020) by presenting the study [Teledentistry for the Promotion and Prevention of Oral Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.]
• Cesia Vargas C received the award: Best Poster Presentation in Student Category IV International Meeting of Cariology. Santiago, Chile. (Oct 17-18th, 2019) by presenting the study [Conceptualization of Dental Caries by Dental Students and Its Relationship with Preventive Oral Care Routine].
• Marisa Chanin,and Gabriella Appice, received the Award: Outstanding Presentation Winners – 2019 College of Dental Medicine-Illinois, MWU. Kenneth A. Suarez Research Day (May 3rd, 2019) in Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL., by the study Conceptualization of Dental Caries by Dental Students and its Relationship with their Preventive Oral Care Routine.
• Ami Rana, Teresa Bae, Huong Ho, and Hanyi Shen obtaining: Champion of the Crowd Award by they Oral Presentation in Research Extravaganza, MWU (April, 16th 2019) ) in Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL., by the study Analysis of Fluoride Content and pH of commercial Teas

Under Grad Dental Students (Research Students).
2023
o Constanza Gatica San Martín y Alejandra Valdebenito Escobar. [Fluoride and pH in Mineralized Bottled Waters Marketed in Chile]. Universidad de Talca. Chile. 2023.
o Diego Agurto y Enzo García, Research Assistants 2023 [Solid Toothpastes: A Literature Review]. Universidad de Talca. Chile. 2023.
o Camila Bueno y Nicole Loyola. [Fluoride Stability in Toothpastes containing Activated Carbon]. University of Talca. Chile, 2023.

2022
o Cesia Vargas C., Valentina Díaz C., and Javiera Loyola S. Vegan/Omnivore Dietary Patterns and their Relationship with Caries Disease: Observational Study. Universidad de Talca. Chile. 2022
o Marcela Arancibia V., Javier Briones V., Matías Pino M., and Valentina Valenzuela N. Association Between Vegan-Omnivorous Dietary Pattern and Erosive Tooth Wear. Universidad de Talca. Chile. 2021.
o Rosio Peña I lillo and Bianca Uribe. Study of F concentration in bottled water. Research assistants 2022. Universidad de Talca, Chile. 2022
o Diego Aburto, Karla Monrroy and María Ignacia Calquín. Research assistants 2022 and memoranda 2023. Universidad de Talca. Chile
o Catalina Maturana and Sebastián Coloma. Teledentistry for the Promotion and Prevention of Oral Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Scientific Initiation. University of Talca. Chile. 2020.
o Consuelo Silva and Fernanda Padilla. Immediate or Delayed Tooth Brushing and Its Relationship with Erosive Tooth Wear And Dental Caries. Scoping Review. University of Talca. Chile. 2021.
o Camila Arqueros and Escobar. Pandemic and Mask use in Oral Health: A descriptive survey. University of Talca. Chile. 2021.
o Valentina Bravo-Gamboa and Claudia Bustamante-Araya. Salivary pH recovery after consumption of acidic tea infusions. Study to be presented to obtain the title of Dental Surgeon (DDS). University of Talca. Chile. 2020.
o Felipe D. Silva Moraga and Sussan M. Valenzuela Berrios. Bioavailability of Fluoride in charcoal-based toothpastes. Study to be presented to obtain the title of Dental Surgeon (DDS). University of Talca. Chile. 2020.
o Carlos Crisostomo. Conceptualization of dental caries and oral care routine in a Chilean Population. Study to be presented to obtain the title of Dental Surgeon (DDS). University of Talca. Chile. 2020.
o Cesia Vargas C. and Valentina Díaz C. Volunteer research program. University of Talca. Chile. Volunteer students are assisting in different research projects (details in research project section listed below). 2019-present.
o Bárbara Avendaño. In-situ and in-vivo evidence of the anticariogenic effect of tea derived from camellia sinensis: A systemic review. Study presented to obtain the title of Dental Surgeon (DDS). University of Talca. Chile. 2019.

PreDoctoral Dental Students
o Marisa Chanin and Gabriella Appice. Volunteer research program. College of Dental Medicine-Illinois, Midwestern University, IL, USA. Conceptualization of Dental Caries by Dental Students and its Relationship with their Preventive Oral Care Routine. 2017-2018.
o Ami Taylor, Teresa Bae, Huong Ho, and Hanyi Shen. Volunteer research program. College of Dental Medicine-Illinois, Midwestern University, IL, USA. Analysis of Fluoride Content and pH of commercial Teas. 2017-2018.
o Jesal Solanki and Jun Lue (Jerry) Le. Volunteer research program. College of Dental Medicine-Illinois, Midwestern University, IL, USA. Fluoride and pH of Drinking Water Avaliable in Puerto Rico and Black tea sold in Chile. 2017-2018.

Master Students
o Camila Cisterna. Root caries in elderly population under periodontal maintenance treatments. Study presented to obtain the title of Master in Geriatric Dentistry. University of Talca. Chile. 2020.
o Sergio Araya. Effect of Teledentistry for prevention and oral health promotion in caregivers of elderly people. Study presented to obtain the title of Master in Geriatric Dentistry. University of Talca. Chile. 2021.
o Constanza Toro. Effect of Teledentistry for prevention and oral health promotion in caregivers of elderly people. Study presented to obtain the title of Master in Geriatric Dentistry. University of Talca. Chile. 2021.
o Ivanna Catalina Fuentes. Tootbrushes as an Implement to Mechanical biofilm Control in Dependent Elderly. An Scoping Review. Study to be presented to obtain the title of Master in Geriatric Dentistry. University of Talca. Chile. 2023.
o Gustavo Jaques. Design and Validation of Educational Mobile Application for Elderly Patients (Supervised and guided the whole creation of the project. Then he defended guided by Dr. León). Master in Geriatric Dentistry. U.Talca. Chile. 2023.
o Consuelo Silva. Prebiotics in Oral Biofilm. Master in Bucal and Maxilofacial Sciences. U.Talca. Chile. 2023-2024.
o Pablo Ibañez. Materials for retroendodontics treatment: A systematic review. Master in Bucal and Maxilofacial Sciences. U.Talca. Chile. 2023-2024.

COLAB ONTERDISCIPLINARY MASTER THESIS
o Javiera Duran Baeza. Erosive Potential of Food consumed by Vegan and Omnivores Adults: Health Implicances. Study presented to obtain the title of Master in Public Health Nutrition. Universidad del Desarrollo. Santiago. Chile. 2023. Co-mentor.

Regarding science divulgation, I created a public profile in social media (Jun 2020) to spread scientific information in a very simple and easy-to-access way, and it became my passion to provide the latest updates in my field of expertise to everyone, not only my current students. Using social media, I have been able to initiate several collaborations with colleagues all over the world, positioning me as one referent in the cariology field, and also in innovative teaching. I have been called a Science Divulgator, having followers not only in Chile but in most of Latin-American countries, and some from USA and Europe. Furthermore, I am currently involved in leadership roles in national and international cariology groups.