"A healthy smile can warm people's heart and blaze trails for Shanghai towards a better future." Recently, at the 2022 Bund Overseas High-level Talent Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum, the reporter met Prof. Maurizio S. Tonetti, director of the Clinical Research Center at Shanghai Ninth People Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and the world's top expert in the field of dentistry.

In his speech entitled "A Journey to Explore the Innovation, Transformation and Improvement of Oral Health", Tonetti praised Shanghai as one of the world's leading science cities and Huangpu District as the center of Shanghai. Here, he identified an opportunity to practice the bold vision of effectively tackling oral diseases, contribute to the health of all, and advance common prosperity of China and the world. Tonetti coined the vision as "Smile Shanghai, Smile China".

"This is the last challenge in my professional life."

As an international expert and practitioner delving into academic oral health for three decades, Tonetti has long been dedicated to the research on molecular mechanism and systematic treatment of implant and periodontal diseases and systemic diseases. He creatively improved guided tissue regeneration, pioneered minimally invasive technology of periodontal regeneration, and made breakthroughs in regeneration treatment of stage III periodontitis. Tonetti has also substantially prolonged the service life of natural teeth and promoted the wide application of this technology worldwide.

In October 2020, Tonetti took a full-time job at Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital (SNPH) as a high-level talent introduced in Shanghai, becoming SNPH's first full-time "foreign doctor and scientist". "This is the last challenge in my professional life", said Tonetti, who has been seeking a position where he can contribute much to human health and common prosperity. He had been in contact with SNPH for years. Tonetti witnessed China's rapid socioeconomic development and was confident in SNPH's abundant clinical resources, research system with further global presence, and clinical research culture.

"Above all, I've noticed a high burden of oral disease in China", Tonetti presented a nationwide oral health survey: Only a small part of Chinese adults own healthy periodontitis or superficial periodontitis (green); 50% to 70% suffer from periodontitis or all teeth fallen off. "The high prevalence of III-IV periodontitis and missing dentition is alarming, so professionals are required." Harboring the wish for conquering stage IV (severe) periodontitis and treating edentulous patients, Tonetti came to Shanghai with his family.

"It's a stroke of luck to work with Prof. Tonetti"

Dental implant colleagues at SNPH seemed to have a lot to say about changes brought by Prof. Tonetti.

According to Qiao Shichong, Deputy Chief Physician and Doctor of Medicine at the Department of Dental Implants, Prof. Tonetti has given attentive guidance in clinical research, regulations, standardized team operation, and some details that can improve the treatment effects. "We are thrilled and honored to work with such an expert devoted to China's stomatology."

Zhang Xiaomeng, a young doctor, was impressed by Tonetti's meticulous in details. Tonetti engaged in and surveilled over details during the construction of the Dental Implant Center in SNPH Pudong Campus. "Prof. Tonetti put forward detailed and specific requirements, such as sterile floors that are easy to disinfect, dirt-free corridors, and countertops. We are electrified and benefit a lot from his rigorous working attitude."

Prof. Tonetti often conducts training to impart his experience in clinical research and operation technology, added her. "By doing so, we have grown swiftly. Under the leadership of Prof. Tonetti, I believe that our dental implant team will become stronger and more international!"

Prof. Tonetti often conducts training to impart his experience in clinical research and operation technology, added her. "By doing so, we have grown swiftly. Under the leadership of Prof. Tonetti, I believe that our dental implant team will become stronger and more international!"

"I'm geared up here to play a role any time."

In the interview, Tonetti was also inspired by his talks with local patients. Oral health is so precious that it enables us to smile and talk confidently and chew food effectively, but most patients belittle it before losing, throwing mild symptoms into complex and expensive problems.

"It is possible to maintain oral health throughout your life. Early detection and diagnosis allow oral diseases to be treated simply, cheaply and effectively. The later the diagnosis, the greater the problem and cost involved." Then how to keep oral health through scientific daily care? Tonetti suggested cleaning teeth three times a day with toothbrushes and interdental cleaning devices (dental floss or interdental brush), using fluoride toothpaste, and going to the dentist at least once a year for examination and professional prevention. "When you are not feeling well, see the dentist immediately. The longer you drag on, the more serious the problem will be."

Towards the end of the interview, Tonetti once again underscored his desire to go all out for "Smile Shanghai, Smile China": "I will help Chinese patients reproduce confident and healthy smiles to the best of my ability. I'm here in China to be geared up for making contributions. Whenever you need help, you can always count on me."