Professional Biography

Dr. Vivek Padmanabhan is an Associate Professor of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry at RAK College of Dental Sciences, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, United Arab Emirates. He is actively involved in undergraduate dental education, clinical governance, quality improvement and patient safety. His research interests include pediatric oral health, dental caries, dental anxiety, salivary biomarkers and patient safety in dental education. He has contributed to several clinical and educational research projects and publications and maintains a strong interest in integrating evidence-based practice, research and quality improvement into dental education and patient care.

Qualifications

• PhD in Pediatric and Preventive Children Dentistry, Nitte University, India (2016)
• Master of Dental Surgery (MDS), Pediatric and Preventive Children Dentistry, RGUHS, India (2008)
• Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), RGUHS, India (2002)

Experience

• Associate Professor, RAKCODS, RAKMHSU, Jan 2025- till date
• Assistant Professor, RAKCODS, RAKMHSU, Aug 2013-Dec 2024
• Assistant Professor, Triveni Dental College and Hospital, Bilaspur, India, Jan 2011-Aug 2013
• Senior Lecturer, Vyas Dental College and Hospital, Jodhpur, India, Jun 2008-Dec 2011.

Courses Taught

• Pediatric and Preventive Children Dentistry
• Comprehensive Clinical Dentistry

Areas of Teaching & Research Interests

• Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry
• Dental Caries and Caries Risk Assessment
• Dental Anxiety and Behaviour Management
• Salivary Biomarkers in Oral Health and Disease
• Clinical Dental Education
• Patient Safety and Quality Improvement
• Evidence-Based Dentistry and Clinical Research
• Dental Education and Curriculum Development

Selected Publications

• Chaitanya NCSK, Hashim NT, Padmanabhan V, et al. Nallan’s Direct Ray: an innovative gyroscopic-guided radiographic device for intraoral radiography. Diagnostics (Basel). 2026;16(3):386. doi:10.3390/diagnostics16030386
• Padmanabhan V, Islam MS, Baroudi K, et al. Salivary IL-6 as a biomarker for early childhood and rampant caries: insights from a cross-sectional study. Biomedicines. 2025;13(2):293. doi:10.3390/biomedicines13020293
• Padmanabhan V, Islam MS, Rahman MM, Goud MBK, Alshehhi LMSA, Hamed HMA, et al. Salivary alpha-amylase activity and its association with early childhood caries and rampant caries experience: a cross-sectional study. Frontiers in Medicine (Lausanne). 2025;11:1480139. doi:10.3389/fmed.2024.1480139
• Hashim NT, Babiker R, Padmanabhan V, et al. Challenges of ozone therapy in periodontal regeneration: a narrative review and possible therapeutic improvements. Current Issues in Molecular Biology. 2025;47(10):811. doi:10.3390/cimb47100811
• Padmanabhan V, Islam MS, Goud M, et al. Association of salivary vitamin D and vitamin C levels with dental caries in children: a cross-sectional study. International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. 2024;17(7):773–776. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2902
• Padmanabhan V, Islam MS, Rahman MM, Chaitanya NCSK, Sivan PP. Understanding patient safety in dentistry: evaluating the present and envisioning the future — a narrative review. BMJ Open Quality. 2024;13(Suppl 2):e002502. doi:10.1136/bmjoq-2023-002502
• Padmanabhan V, Mohammad LT, AlZaabi HKHA, AwadAlkreem FAHA. Prevalence of dental caries in children visiting a dental college and hospital in the United Arab Emirates: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice. 2023;24(7):467–472. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10024-3529

Further Publications

2024 - 2025 publications only

• Dental Anxiety and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Among Adults in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study. Healthcare (Q1), MDPI, Scopus — Jan 2026
• Prevalence and Patterns of Dental Caries in Emirati Schoolchildren in the UAE: A Cross-Sectional Study. Submitted to Journal of International Dental and Medical Research (Q3), Scopus — Dec 2025
• Salivary and GCF Vitamin C Levels: Implications for Local and Systemic Periodontal Defense. International Journal of Dentistry (Q1), Scopus — Dec 2025
• Accumulated Hard-Tissue Debris Removal Using Different Ultrasonic Power Settings: A Micro-CT Study. European Journal of Dentistry (Q1), Scopus — Aug 2025
• Evaluating Dental Students’ Patient Safety Knowledge and Readiness: A Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of International Dental and Medical Research (Q3), Scopus — Jul 2025
• Evaluating the Antiviral Potential of Polyherbal Formulation (Kabasura Kudineer) Against Monkeypox Virus: A Multifaceted Drug Discovery Approach. Life (Q2), Scopus — May 2025
• Clinical Adjustment of Zirconia-Reinforced Lithium Silicate and Lithium Disilicate Restorations Should Be Performed Before Crystallization. Materials (Q2), Scopus — Apr 2025
• The Global Burden of Periodontal Disease: A Narrative Review on Socioeconomic and Health Challenges. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (Q2), Scopus — Apr 2025
• The Effect of Chemical Surface Modification on Repair Bond Strength of Resin Composite: An In Vitro Study. Polymers (Q1), Scopus — Feb 2025
• New Insights in Natural Bioactive Compounds for Periodontal Disease: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential. Molecules (Q2), Scopus — Feb 2025
• The Potential Role of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Peripheral Nerve Regeneration. Neurology International (Q2), Scopus — Feb 2025
• Principles and Therapeutics of Yajna. Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences (Q2), Scopus — Jan 2025
• Comparative Analysis of Whitening Outcomes of Over-the-Counter Toothpastes: An In Vitro Study. Dentistry (Q2), Scopus — Jan 2025
• Oral Submucous Fibrosis: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Features, Pathogenesis, and Management. Journal of International Dental and Medical Research (Q3), Scopus — Jan 2025
• Enhancing Intraoral Radiographic Technique: Introducing “Nallan’s Lines”. Frontiers in Oral Health (Q1), Scopus — Dec 2024
• Impact of Pre-Treatment with Desensitizing Agents on the Effectiveness of In-Office Bleaching: An In Vitro Study. Materials (Q1), Scopus — Dec 2024
• Microbial Dynamics in Periodontal Regeneration: Microbiome Shifts and Antifouling Materials. Current Issues in Molecular Biology (Q2), Scopus — Oct 2024
• Factors Influencing Shade-Taking Accuracy Using Digital Shade Guides. Open Dentistry Journal (Q3), Scopus — Jul 2024
• Impact of the Khartoum War on Dental Education. Pan African Medical Journal (Q3), Scopus — Jul 2024
• Prevalence of Dentin Hypersensitivity Among Dental Students and Effectiveness of Desensitizing Agents. Open Dentistry (Q3), Scopus, PubMed — Jun 2024
• Oral Hygiene Apps in Pediatric Dental Care: A Narrative Review. Journal of International Dental and Medical Research (Q3) — Jul 2024
• Mechanical Alteration and Repair Bond Strength of S-PRG Filler-Based Resin Composites. Polymers (Q1), Scopus — May 2024
• Endodontic Procedural Errors Among Undergraduate Dental Students. Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice (Q3), PubMed, Scopus — Feb 2024

Leadership & Institutional Roles

• Coordinator, Patient Safety in Dentistry, RAKCODS Annual Dental Conference — 25 February 2023
  Coordinated the patient safety track and moderated a panel discussion on Patient Safety in Dentistry.
• Panel Moderator, Patient Safety in Dentistry, RAKCODS Annual Dental Conference — 25 February 2023.
• Invited Speaker, International Webinar conducted by Accreditation Canada — 7 April 2021.
  Topic: COVID-19: Challenges and Opportunities in Dentistry.
• Lead Facilitator, Annual Patient Safety Training Programs — November 2019 to present. Conducted institution-wide patient safety training programs on an annual basis.
• Accreditation Coordinator, Accreditation Canada Survey, RAK College of Dental Sciences — 13–17 December 2020. Successfully led and completed the accreditation process.
• Chairperson, Clinical Sciences, RAK College of Dental Sciences — November 2019 to present.
• Head, Quality and Patient Safety, RAK College of Dental Sciences and RAKCODS Medical Center — 2019 to present.
• Accreditation Lead, Joint Commission International (JCI) Survey, RAKCODS Medical Center — 17–19 January 2021. Successfully planned, coordinated, and completed JCI accreditation.
• Project Lead, Design and Implementation of Hospital Information Management System (HIMS) for Dental Clinics, RAK College of Dental Sciences — Completed.
• Project Lead, Design and Implementation of HIMS for RAKCODS Medical Center — Implementation targeted by June 2023.

Memberships, Committees & Registration

• Chairperson, Clinical Sciences, RAK College of Dental Sciences, RAK Medical & Health Sciences University, UAE
• Chairperson, Quality and Patient Safety, RAK College of Dental Sciences, RAKMHSU
• Former Vice-Chairperson / Deputy Chairperson, Research & Ethics Committee, RAK Medical & Health Sciences University
• International Advisory Board Member, Journal of Health Sciences & Research
• Editorial / professional board involvement, International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry
• Registered Specialist Pediatric Dentist, UAE

Professional Development & Training

• MSc Medical Education, Leadership and Educational Development, University of Warwick, UK (2025 – present)
• Quality improvement and patient safety training, including institutional patient-safety culture, incident reporting, clinical governance and risk-management initiatives, RAKCODS / RAKMHSU, UAE (ongoing)
• Accreditation and quality management training and implementation, Accreditation Canada, RAK College of Dental Sciences, UAE: active involvement in institutional accreditation and quality-improvement processes
• Patient Safety at RAKCODS: A Journey, professional development / Kaizen training, RAKCODS, UAE (2023), presenter and trainer
• OVR, HIMS & Kaizen Feedback Surveys, professional development training, RAKCODS, UAE (2023), presenter and trainer
• Medication Management, AHRQ Patient Safety Culture Survey and Worklife Pulse Tools, professional development training, RAKCODS, UAE (2023), presenter and trainer