The 24th Yonsei Dental International Symposium Highlights 110 Years of Excellence
The 24th Yonsei Dental International Symposium took place on November 14 under the theme “Yonsei Dentistry: Past, Present, and Future.” Held in celebration of the 110th anniversary of Yonsei Dentistry, the symposium served as a meaningful occasion to honor the college’s longstanding legacy while exploring its future directions in dental science.
The event began with poster presentations by 81 participants across eight research categories, featuring studies that bridged foundational science and clinical application. In the following session, five distinguished alumni—now professors at leading dental schools across Korea—delivered keynote lectures offering valuable insights into the evolving landscape of dental research and education. Their talks provided a broader perspective on current research trends in Korean dental schools, and opened discussions on potential avenues for academic collaboration with Yonsei University. Through this year’s symposium, Yonsei University College of Dentistry reaffirmed its commitment to advancing dental education, research, and innovation as it prepares for the next century.
Yonsei University College of Dentistry Commemorated 110th Anniversary Celebration Night
Yonsei University College of Dentistry (YUCD) commemorated its 110th Anniversary Celebration Night under the theme “Ready for the Future” on November 16 at the Baekyangnuri Grand Ballroom. The event brought together over 160 participants, including alumni, emeritus professors, key officials of Yonsei University, and major donors, to reflect on the College’s proud history as Korea’s first dental school and share aspirations for the years ahead. The ceremony featured congratulatory remarks from Yonsei University leadership as well as video messages from global partner institutions such as Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Wayne State University. The program also included a premiere screening of YUCD’s newly produced official promotional video.
In addition, individuals who have provided significant philanthropic support to the College were appointed as members of the Future Development Committee. Alumni Association President Hong-Chul Yoon, one of whom appointed as the Future Development Committee member, emphasized continued alumni support through the 110th Anniversary Fundraising Committee. Dean Young-Soo Jung reaffirmed the YUCD’s commitment to strengthening its research and educational infrastructure by further expanding fundraising efforts.
Strengthening Global Ties: YUCD’s 110th Anniversary Engagements at Home and Abroad
In celebration of its 110th anniversary, YUCD strengthened its global network through meaningful engagements at home and abroad. In October, Mr. Robert Boots Sigler, the great-grandson of missionary founder Dr. Boots, visited YUCD with his family and friends. During his visit, he paid tribute at Dr. Boots’s bust and met with the College leadership. Mr. Sigler also decided to make a donation to the YUCD Future Development Fund, honoring his great-grandfather’s legacy and supporting the College’s future advancement.
Building on this historic connection, Dean Jung and the delegation visited Temple University and the University of Pittsburgh in November—alma maters of the missionary founders Dr. Scheifley and Dr. Boots. They met with senior leaderships including Deans Amid Ismail and Marnie Oakley to discuss historic ties, shared educational values, and global vision. YUCD recently signed a new MOU with Temple University and has been in ongoing discussions with the University of Pittsburgh. The latest visit is expected to accelerate institutional collaboration. The delegation also visited the University of Pennsylvania to renew its long-standing MOU, first established in 1999, further strengthening its global academic network.
YUCD also hosted Alumni Appreciation Nights in Chicago and Los Angeles, home to the largest number of North American alumni. The events featured academic discussions and fundraising activities to bolster alumni engagement and support. Several alumni expressed their intention to make on-site donations, reflecting strong commitment to the College’s future growth.
Faculty Recognized for Excellence in Research and Innovation
Three faculty members of YUCD were honored for their outstanding achievements in dental research and innovation. Professor Jae-Sung Kwon (Department of Dental Biomaterials and Bioengineering) received the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Commendation at the 2025 Bio Industry Day on November 28, in recognition of his contributions to dental biomaterials research and national bioindustry development. Professor Ui Won Jung (Department of Periodontics) earned the Grand Prize at the 2025 OSSTEM Academic Awards in recognition of his exceptional research publications over the past two years. Professor Sang-Sun Han (Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology) won the Gold Prize at the 5th MINEC Academic Awards for her achievements in 3D dental imaging and artificial intelligence applications.
1. Prespecified dental mesenchymal cells for the making of a tooth.
Positional information in tooth development was investigated by comparing the lingual and buccal dental mesenchyme of mouse tooth germs at the cap stage. Transcriptomic analysis revealed distinct regional identities, with the lingual mesenchyme enriched for genes related to odontogenesis, pattern formation, and cell proliferation, while the buccal mesenchyme showed higher expression of genes associated with stem cell regulation, differentiation, and regeneration. Functional experiments demonstrated that these molecular differences correspond to distinct developmental roles. The lingual mesenchyme exhibited odontogenic potential and directly contributed to tooth formation, whereas the buccal mesenchyme primarily supported surrounding tissues, providing evidence that positional information governs regional specialization during tooth development. This research offers critical information for the fields of tooth development and regeneration and was published in the International Journal of Oral Science (impact factor 12.2) in October 2025. It has also garnered international attention by being featured in the "Upfront" section of the British Dental Journal, a journal published by the Nature Publishing Group, representing a significant academic achievement.
Eun-Jung Kim, Research Associate Professor, Division in Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Department of Oral Biology, Yonsei University College of Dentistry Han-Sung Jung, Professor, Division in Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Department of Oral Biology, Yonsei University College of Dentistry
2. Periosteal Fenestration Procedure in Apically Positioned Flap Increases the Attached Mucosal Width: An In Vivo Experimental Study
Securing an adequate width of keratinized and attached gingiva is essential for the prevention of peri-implantitis and the maintenance of peri-implant soft tissue health. Through an international collaborative study with researchers from the University of Zurich, Professor Jung-Seok Lee’s research team demonstrated, in an animal model, that an apically positioned flap (APF) combined with periosteal fenestration is more effective in increasing the width of attached gingiva than a conventional apically positioned flap alone. Histological analysis revealed that the healing process at sites treated with periosteal fenestration resulted in the formation of non-keratinized attached mucosa, which contributed to the establishment of a stable band of attached gingiva around teeth. This research was selected as the cover article of the September 2025 issue of the Journal of Clinical Periodontology (Impact Factor 6.8) published by the European Federation of Periodontology.
Inpyo Hong, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontology, Yonsei University College of Dentistry Jung-Seok Lee, Professor, Department of Periodontology, Yonsei University College of Dentistry
3. Longitudinal analysis of oral microbiome changes during the neonatal period in full-term and preterm newborns
The neonatal period represents a critical window for the establishment of the oral microbiome, which plays a fundamental role in immune development and long-term systemic health. Professor Chung-Min Kang’s research team focused on how oral microbiome development differs according to gestational maturity, conducting a longitudinal analysis of oral microbial changes from birth to one month of age in full-term and preterm newborns. The study demonstrated that preterm newborns exhibit persistently lower microbial diversity, delayed microbial succession, and an increased abundance of pathogenic bacteria and virulence-associated genes compared with full-term newborns. Importantly, modifiable perinatal and neonatal factors—including gestational age, birthweight, mode of delivery, feeding type, and antibiotic exposure—were found to exert a stronger influence on early oral microbiome development than biological immaturity alone. These findings suggest that early clinical environments and interventions can significantly shape oral and systemic health trajectories in this vulnerable population. This research provides important scientific evidence supporting early preventive strategies in preterm newborns, particularly the promotion of breastfeeding and the prudent use of antibiotics, to foster a more stable and resilient oral microbiome and potentially reduce infection risk. The study was published in Journal of Oral Microbiology (2025).
Taeyang Lee, Researcher, Oral Science Research Center, Yonsei University College of Dentistry Chung-Min Kang, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Yonsei University College of Dentistry
크레딧:
Yonsei University College of Dentistry