Lars Bjørndal

Lars Bjørndal is Professor in Cariology and Endodontics at the Department of Odontology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen since 2024. Previously Associate Professor (2019-2024) and Head of Endodontics (2015-2019), he maintains a dual career in academic research and part-time clinical practice as a root canal specialist since 2002.

His educational foundation includes:

• Dentist degree (Cand. Odont.) from University of Copenhagen (1988)
• PhD in Odontology (1992)
• Dr. odont. (2011)
• Specialized endodontics training (Sweden, 1999-2001)
• Operating microscope certification (Zeiss)

His research revolutionizes caries management and endodontic treatment through four pillars: non-operative caries arrestment, pulp inflammation prevention, practice-based clinical trials, and AI integration in diagnostics. Pioneering work on stepwise excavation established biological protocols to avoid root canal treatments, while recent projects like 'Can BIG DATA save teeth?' bridge dentistry with computer science.

Current publications reveal accelerating AI adoption in dentistry alongside refined caries excavation techniques. The 2024-2025 output shows 63% focus on AI/Big Data applications, 25% on caries management protocols, and 12% on endodontic outcomes research, reflecting strategic alignment with digital dentistry's future.

His accolades include:

• Buonocore Commemorative Lecture award (2002)
• Danish Zendium Research Prize (2015)
• Journal of Endodontics publication award (2020)
• Top-cited International Endodontic Journal paper (2020-2021)

As principal supervisor for two PhD candidates and mentor for 18 Master's theses, he secures substantial funding including DKK 1.8 million (2021) for AI dentistry and DKK 1 million (2012) for surgical microscopes. His total grants exceed 6 million DKK internal and 2 million DKK external funding during associate professorship.

Co-founder of the Scandinavian Endodontic Research Collaboration (EndoReCo) and PRIRATE guidelines, he drives international standardization of endodontic clinical trials while leading the '20 Biennal Scandinavian Endodontic Society Congress'.