Stem cell therapy derived from dental pulp tissue – the soft marrow between teeth – offers promising potential for treating vital human organs.
This innovative treatment method has shown effectiveness in repairing damaged liver and kidney tissues, while also holding significant promise for addressing neurological disorders, diabetes, heart disease, and cardiovascular conditions.
If widely adopted, this approach could revolutionise the medical field, opening new frontiers in regenerative medicine.
These insights emerged during a seminar titled “Dental Pulp Tissue: A New Hope for Regenerative Medicine,” held at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), formerly BSMMU, on Tuesday (April 22).
Professor Dr Afzalun Nesa, chaired the session while Dr Khaled Mahbub Morshed (Mamun) moderated it where BMU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr Md Abul Kalam Azad, its pro-VC (Research and Development) Professor Dr Md Mujibur Rahman Howlader, Treasurer Professor Dr Nahrin Akhtar, Dean of the Faculty of Children’s Dentistry Professor Dr Md Atiar Rahman joined in discussion. Department chairs, faculty members, doctors, residents, and other stakeholders from the university also attended it.
Professor Dr Md Mujibur Rahman Howlader presented a paper titled “Clinical Applications and Future Perspectives in Regenerative Medicine” and FCPS trainee Dr Siddiqullah discussed on “Biological Potential of Dental Pulp Stem Cells.” Dr Kamrul Islam, a resident physician, spoke on “Simple Steps in Dental Pulp Tissue Engineering.”
In his presentation, Professor Mujibur Rahman highlighted the ground-breaking work being conducted by the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics at BMU.
Researchers are successfully exploring the use of stem cells to revive the pulp of teeth that have died due to trauma or disease. Medical students, including residents pursuing higher education, are actively involved in these efforts.
To further advance this initiative, plans are underway to establish a stem cell bank within BMU. This facility will focus on collecting stem cells from dental pulp and applying them to regenerate tissues in critical organs of the body. By integrating stem cell banking services with BMU’s Central Research Centre, the university aims to achieve its ambitious goals in regenerative medicine.
Professor Mujibur also cited the pioneering research conducted by the team at King’s College London, who spent a decade proving that it is possible to grow new teeth in adults using stem cell therapy. This serves as a testament to the transformative potential of stem cell-based treatments.
Professor Dr Nahrin Akhtar, Treasurer of BMU, emphasised the university administration’s commitment to fostering cutting-edge medical advancements.
She assured full support for establishing a stem cell bank and implementing stem cell banking services at BMU, underscoring the institution’s dedication to enhancing patient care through innovation.
The seminar underscored the immense possibilities of regenerative medicine using dental pulp tissue. By leveraging stem cell therapy, Bangladeshi physicians aim to address complex health challenges and improve outcomes for patients. With continued research, collaboration, and institutional backing, Bangladesh Medical University is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing this revolutionary field of medicine.