Jessica Zachar

Dr. Jessica Zachar is a Lecturer and Senior Dental Officer at the University of Queensland's School of Dentistry. She holds advanced credentials including a Master of Clinical Dentistry (Oral Surgery) and is currently pursuing a PhD investigating polychromatic LED analgesia for dental procedures. Her roles include teaching oral surgery and general medicine to dental students, alongside clinical duties at the UQ Oral Health Centre.

Education:

• Bachelor of Dental Science (2015)
• Bachelor of Science (Honours)
• Graduate Certificate in Learning & Teaching (Higher Education)
• Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (Surgical Dentistry)
• Master of Clinical Dentistry (Oral Surgery)
• PhD Candidate

Research Interests: Focuses on dental education innovation (VR/AR tools), patient safety in clinical settings, and oral health disparities. Her work bridges clinical practice with educational technology, emphasizing evidence-based practices in pain management and surgical training. Recent studies analyze percutaneous injuries prevention, dental trauma simulation models, and pandemic-related clinical challenges.

Research Trends: Her publications (2015–2025) emphasize patient safety improvements, educational technology adoption, and public health initiatives. Key areas include infection control protocols, pediatric dental trauma management, and virtual reality training systems.

Awards:

• 2024: Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (HaBS)
• 2023: UQ Teaching Excellence Award (Dentistry Team)
• 2022: Excellence in Clinical Education (HaBS), Teaching Excellence Commendation (UQ)
• 2018–2019: IADR Competition Prizes
• Professional Fellowships: Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh), Higher Education Academy

Teaching & Leadership: Leads the Clinical Simulation Team (2022 award-winning unit), develops VR/3D-printed teaching tools, and mentors students in evidence-based practice. Her teaching philosophy prioritizes clinical leadership and community-oriented healthcare delivery.

Labs/Teams: Active in the Centre for Orofacial Regeneration, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation (COR3), collaborating on interdisciplinary dental education and clinical innovation projects.