News & Activities

Summary of the Hands-on Training Workshop
“Guidelines for the Use of Lasers in Oral Health Care”
Date: 15 August 2025
Event: MHESIFAIR: SCI POWER FOR FUTURE THAILAND
Venue: MR206 Meeting Room, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok
The workshop was honored by Ms Sirinporn Diewtrakul, Deputy Director of the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), who delivered the welcome speech and officially opened the session.
This workshop was a collaboration of the Hub of Knowledge in Orofacial Laserology Networks and be a part of flagship activity, aiming to develop efficient and safe guidelines for laser use in dentistry. The key components were as follows:

Lecture Session
“Current Situation of Laser Use for Oral Health Care in Thailand”
by Prof. Dr. Sajee Sattayut, Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University, and Manager Director of the Hub of Knowledge in Orofacial Laserology.
This session clearly illustrated the development of lasers in dentistry, from academia to public health systems, leading to internationally transferred knowledge and the establishment of the Hub of Knowledge in Orofacial Laserology to build academic and professional connection among Thai dentists and lay the foundation for an ASEAN-level knowledge hub.
This training was also accredited as Continuing Dental Education Units, coordinated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Patcharawan Srisilpanun, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Phayao.

Panel Discussion
“What Should Dentists Do When They Want to Use Lasers?”
Panelists:

• Asst. Prof. Dr. Suwat Tanya (Chiang Mai University)
• Dr. Surada Tanthananukul (Borabu Hospital)
• Dr. Vimonkarn Damrongrattanuwong (MedPark Hospital)
• Dr. Ha Thai Dam (Can Tho University, Vietnam)

The speakers shared different learning pathways in laser dentistry—from postgraduate education, workplace-based learning, to lifelong education—illustrating how these approaches help dentists progress from being only laser users to becoming orofacial laserologists capable of using lasers with the sufficient efficiency and safety. Such educational opportunities now truly exist in Thailand.

Workshop: Standards for the Safe Use of Lasers in Oral Health Care
Conducted in a small-group learning format emphasizing participation and time efficiency, the workshop design was advised by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Piyachat Patcharanuwat (Khon Kaen University), creating an enjoyable and concise atmosphere.
Participants rotated through five interactive stations:

1. Principles of Safe Laser Use – Dr. Surada Tanthananukul, PhD student ., Dr. Vimonkarn Damrongrattanuwong
2. Role of Laser Safety Officers (LSOs) – Ms. Pisamai Vicharn (Khon Kaen University)
3. Laser Devices – Dr. Suwat Tanya (Chiang Mai University)
4. Recording Laser Usage Data – Dr. Ha Thai Dam (Can Tho University) PhD candidate
5. Laser Specifications for Different Levels of Health Services – Prof. Dr. Sajee Sattayut (Khon Kaen University)

Support and Contributions

• Laser Engineer Co., Ltd. (Mr. Chutikarn Charoenlap and engineer team) provided laser devices as study models.
• Lasers in Dentistry Research Group, Khon Kaen University coordinated and documented the event, with contributions from Ms. Klairung Suchon and Dr. Trang Thanh, PhD student.

Acknowledgements:
We extend our sincere thanks to all collaborating partners and networks whose contributions made this workshop possible. It marks another important step toward building a sustainable ecosystem for laser learning in dentistry.