Arosha Weerakoon

Dr. Arosha Weerakoon's research has made a substantial impact on dental practice and public understanding of oral health, reaching beyond academia to benefit society and the economy. Her research outputs sit in the top 5% of all research outputs scored by Altmetric. Her work on dentine structure and adhesive materials directly addresses the challenges of long-lasting dental restorations, improving treatment durability and reducing costs associated with repeated dental procedures. This research contributes to better patient outcomes and enhances the efficiency of dental care, reducing the financial burden on both patients and healthcare providers.

Through her collaborations with institutions like the Garvan Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Institute for Molecular Biosciences and Translational Research Institute Australia, Dr. Weerakoon has advanced the understanding of dental material interactions with human tissue. Her insights on the physiological aging of dentine inform best practices for restorative materials, fostering innovations that adapt to patient-specific needs, especially in ageing populations. Additionally, her public engagement—garnering over 840,000 reads on articles about oral health published by The Conversation Media Group—has helped elevate public awareness on dental issues. Her contributions in platforms like The Conversation, ABC and Colgate have brought critical topics such as preventive dental care, aging impacts on teeth, and DIY dental trends to a broad audience, promoting healthier lifestyle choices. Dr. Weerakoon also writes for her peers, and her articles that promote better dental practice, AI-integration, and self-improvement are published with Colgate as part of her role as and Advocate for Oral Health as well as publications through associations such as the Dental Hygienists Association and the Australian Dental Association.

Moreover, Dr. Weerakoon’s role as a key opinion leader for Kuraray Noritake Dental allows her research insights to influence product development, guiding industry advancements toward safer and more effective dental materials. This collaboration underscores her influence on the dental industry’s sustainability by promoting materials that minimize environmental impact and align with global health standards. Her work exemplifies research with tangible benefits, driving change in healthcare delivery, industry standards, and public health literacy.