Dentistry Research Day 2025. Image: Supplied

The classic 1980s arcade character, Pac-Man, made an appearance at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) Dentistry Research Day as a metaphor for staff and students to stay curious about research and innovation in dentistry.

The Jakes Gerwel Hall erupted with laughter as volunteers from the crowd donned costumes from the Pac-Man game and re-enacted the chasing of the main character.

This playful nod to the arcade classic represented the curiosity, discovery and perseverance essential for young researchers - a concept designed by Dr Suvarna Indermun from the faculty.

The metaphor demonstrated that, similar to how Pac-Man moves through a maze collecting points and navigating challenges, research is a journey of exploration where obstacles exist alongside successes.

Students were encouraged to embrace the spirit of Pac-Man: keep moving forward, stay curious and never stop collecting knowledge.

The overall theme of Research Day 2025 was Beyond the Mouth: Exploring Interdisciplinary Connections Towards National Health Goals. UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Robert Balfour, opened proceedings and spoke directly to this theme: "The figures concerning where most of our dentists work in the world show that only 1.4 per cent of dentists globally work in the public health environment. The majority of dentists are in private healthcare, and unsurprisingly, most dentists work in the global north. The disparities that we consider in relation to Beyond the Mouth: Exploring Interdisciplinary Connections Towards National Health Goals must be linked to the importance of the public good of dentistry - the public need for quality dentistry in communities that can least afford that kind of service."

The Dean of the Dentistry Faculty, Professor Veerasamy Yengopal, reinforced this message: "Advancing dentistry national health goals in South Africa demands interdisciplinary connections by embedding oral health within primary healthcare, maternal and child health, and chronic disease frameworks, supported by integrated policies, collaboration among health professionals, community involvement and research partnerships. This approach promises more equitable access, improved oral health outcomes, and alignment with South Africa's broader health priorities, such as Universal Health Coverage under the National Health Insurance scheme."

The day's proceedings included undergraduate and postgraduate research presentations alongside a poster display. Professor Razia Adam, associate professor and Deputy Dean of Research at the Faculty of Dentistry, facilitated the presentations. She emphasised the broader significance of the event: "Students and staff are not just presenting research projects or fulfilling requirements; they're practising one of humanity's most powerful forms of activism - asking questions. Every breakthrough that has improved human lives started with someone like you refusing to accept, 'that's just how things are."

The impact of this year's Research Day extends beyond a single day. Students are now given the opportunity to contribute to a special issue of the South African Dental Journal, a DHET-accredited publication to be led by Professor Adam, ensuring their research reaches a wider academic audience and contributes to the ongoing development of dental science in South Africa.