Dentaverse X USJ Partnership: Bridging Academia and Industry for Unprecedented Opportunities

Beirut, June 2023 - Dentaverse celebrates the 100th year anniversary of the University Saint Joseph of Beirut, setting the stage for a fruitful collaboration between academia and industry. In a move that would seem inevitable in hindsight, Dentaverse, a leading innovator in dental technology, has forged a strategic alliance with the prestigious University Saint Joseph of Beirut (USJ). This landmark collaboration not only signifies an important milestone for both Dentaverse and USJ, but is also a crucial step towards bridging the gap between academia and industry. The partnership aims to create a favorable environment for collaboration, facilitating the exchange of ideas and expertise between Dentaverse and the accomplished researchers and scholars of USJ.

Dr. Joy Elian ElHayek, Instructor for Digital Dentistry & Technology, Department of Dental Medicine, was instrumental in making this partnership happen. She emerged as a great host, with a progressive mindset toward the use of technology such as virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain in dental medicine and education. Dr. Joy’s enthusiasm for the potential of these technologies aligns perfectly with the innovative approach of Dentaverse, making her an invaluable asset in fostering collaboration between the two entities. As she stated throughout the event “We are not followers, we are pioneers”, stressing the importance of being an early adopter of web3 technologies and their integration with dental education.

At the Centennial celebration of the university, a special VR platform created by Dentaverse exclusively for the guests visiting the event was unveiled. This was a first-of-its-kind showcase in the MENA region, affirming USJ’s reputation as a pioneering institution willing to embrace the latest technology.

The platform is publicly accessible through the following link: USJ University Campus (usj. dentaverse.io). It consists of a general welcome hall and two dedicated rooms: Phantom Room and Virtual Clinic.

The Phantom Room is designed to be used for virtual training purposes, while virtual clinics make virtual patient consultations possible. Here, simulation units and heads from leading dental manufacturers such as Frasaco and Saratoga were effectively presented. So students can now intercommunicate and analyze panoramic X-ray scans together, practicing the diagnosis and treatment planning stage of patient cases. The guests who attended the event showed a keen curiosity and willingness to embrace VR and Blockchain technology in dentistry. They eagerly explored the special Dentaverse x USJ virtual platform and provided invaluable feedback, so that future developments can be attuned to the needs and expectations of dental researchers, professionals, and students.

In addition, USJ organized exclusive VIP sessions with groups of USJ staff members, Arab deans and ambassadors, and international key opinion leaders such as representatives of Sapienza University of Italy in attendance.

Dentaverse Founder, Martin Ravets and Dr Alwaleed Albadr, Dentaverse Chief MENA Officer, presented the USJ Campus Platform, talked about the transformative potential of these technologies in education, and road to their adoption in universities. Titled “A travel into Dentaverse: Oneway ticket to the virtual faculty of dental medicine”, these sessions further led to the exchange of ideas and knowledge, fostering collaboration between all stakeholders.

Dentistry is a very practical field involving complex structures of the jaw and tooth, yet to this day most explanations are illustrated in books, in a 2D format. What if we could lecture about bone structure in the virtual auditorium and let the professor augment a jaw model in front of students’ eyes, increasing information retention and interactivity? What if even after lectures are finished, could the students meet on a 3D university campus and continue their discussion and debates in a virtual clinic, analyzing and learning the cases in their own time from the comfort of their home? Such topics regarding the use of technology in dental education were discussed.

Another highlight of the centennial celebration event was the livestream of a highly anticipated lecture by renowned dental expert, Dr. Hani Tohme on the USJ conference 3D platform. This allowed a wider audience to engage with the discussions and participate virtually, amplifying the impact of the Dentaverse X USJ partnership. The lecture titled “How Technology Is Changing the Future of Dentistry: Exploring Dentaverse and AI” introduced the audience to the tools and innovations that will streamline and improve dental procedures and patient outcomes in the near future.

The 100th-year grand celebrations came to an end with a Gala Dinner at the beautiful Phoenicia Intercontinental Hotel. The Dean of the University, Dr. Nada Farhat invited esteemed members of the faculty and community to celebrate this historical moment.

The Dentaverse X USJ partnership represents only the beginning of a long and fruitful collaboration. Both parties have expressed their enthusiasm for future joint initiatives and projects that will undoubtedly shape the future of dentistry and redefine the boundaries of what is possible in dental technology. With Dentaverse’s commitment to innovation and USJ’s dedication to academic excellence, the partnership sets the stage for unprecedented opportunities, propelling the dental industry into a new era of progress and transformation.