Smart anesthesia, softer smiles: Pakistani dentist’s study outshines 39 rivals at CPSP meet

KARACHI: Imagine a dental injection that adjusts itself to your pain level and delivers anesthesia gently instead of in one sharp push. That idea is now closer to reality after a Pakistani dental resident’s research took top honors at a national medical education forum.

Dr. Vinessa Gil, an FCPS resident at Fatima Jinnah Dental College, secured first place in the Residents’ Research Competition held during the International Medical Education Conference organised by the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP). Her project was ranked highest among 39 research entries submitted by participants from medical and dental institutions across the country.

Her study, titled “Comparison of computer-controlled versus conventional local anesthesia delivery systems: A randomised clinical trial,” explored whether modern, computer-guided injection devices can outperform the traditional dental syringe. Conducted under the supervision of Dr. Shahid Islam, the research examined how precisely controlled pressure and flow during anesthesia delivery may change the patient experience.

Unlike manual injections, computer-controlled systems release anesthetic at a steady, carefully regulated pace. This approach is designed to reduce the sudden tissue pressure that often causes pain and discomfort. Dr. Gil’s trial evaluated outcomes that directly affect everyday dental care, including the level of pain felt during injection, patient anxiety, how effectively numbness was achieved, and whether any complications occurred.

The findings point toward a future in which dental visits may become less intimidating. Injection fear remains one of the main reasons patients avoid or delay treatment, and technology-assisted anesthesia could help remove that psychological barrier by making procedures more predictable and tolerable.

Beyond individual patient comfort, the study reflects a broader shift toward technology-driven, patient-focused dentistry. Educators and clinicians see this success as evidence that local research can contribute meaningfully to modern practice standards.

Dr. Gil’s achievement also brings recognition to Fatima Jinnah Dental College and to structured postgraduate research in Pakistan. Her work suggests that innovation in routine procedures — even something as ordinary as a dental injection — can have wide-reaching effects on care quality.

As dentistry continues to integrate digital and smart systems, this award-winning research signals that Pakistani clinicians are not only adopting new tools but actively shaping how they are used in everyday practice.